1
as in flood
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
a great overflow of water from the heavy rains swept mud and silt down onto the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surplus
the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed
an overflow of help actually made the job more complicated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to flood
to flow over the brim or top of
while the wine steward stood there gawking at the nearby celebrity, my expensive champagne was overflowing its glass and pouring onto our table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to engulf
to cover with a flood
the swollen river overflowed the surrounding land and washed several houses away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overflow
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Since guests typically gather in the kitchen, a keeping room is ideal for overflow and comfort.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
In 2013, my husband Dave and I hauled a beat-up, fire-engine-red suitcase overflowing with sheet masks, toners, snail creams, and pimple patches to the Hester Street Fair, a weekend market in the Lower East Side.
—Charlotte Cho, Allure, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Noun
Forecasters say that high astronomical tides Sunday and Monday morning will result in minor tidal overflow at some beaches.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Since guests typically gather in the kitchen, a keeping room is ideal for overflow and comfort.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
The last few years have been overflowing with it.
—Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
In 2013, my husband Dave and I hauled a beat-up, fire-engine-red suitcase overflowing with sheet masks, toners, snail creams, and pimple patches to the Hester Street Fair, a weekend market in the Lower East Side.
—Charlotte Cho, Allure, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflow
Noun
-
And while short styles dominated the flood of vintage hair looks at the 2026 Golden Globes, Sinners actor Hailee Steinfeld proved that long hair can pack just as much nostalgia.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, flood protection has dipped to a 70-year level, far below the 250-year level of protection envisioned in the project authorization, according to the news release.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As providers warn of layoffs and a system nearing collapse, the contrast between the agency's austerity measures and the state's multi-billion dollar surplus remains a central point of contention for advocates and legislators alike.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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But in the years since, Sacramento has failed to act to address the massive debt incurred during the pandemic, despite having a $100 billion surplus in recent years.—
Vince Fong,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Using the wrong pan can affect cooking time, texture, and appearance—cookies may spread too much, cakes may bake unevenly, or liquids may spill over the sides, making a big mess.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Ample bedrooms spill open to the outdoors, and some of the striking bathrooms include moody black vanities and soaking tubs.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps in Iran, which has been engulfed by mass protests, leading the president to threaten action against an oppressive regime that has bedeviled the United States for nearly half a century.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The officers extracted a man with his legs pinned under the dashboard inside moments before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Is your play area bursting at the seams?—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Hill burst upon the local high school scene as a sophomore, earning Central Texas newcomer of the year honors in 2023 after rushing for 1,428 yards and 20 touchdowns.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The statement comes as xAI faces a torrent of criticism from government regulators around the world in connection to images produced by its Grok software over the past several days.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Residents had to frantically flee their homes as a torrent of debris rushed through town and encased homes and cars in feet of mud.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Bureaucratic excesses and multi-purpose policies cannot burden it, as was the case with the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
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Foamy or Frothy Urine Proteinuria, an excess of protein in the urine, is the second most common symptom of IgA nephropathy after blood in the urine.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As for the after-show, the highlight (other than Jawan overfilling his champagne glass) had to be Jeff listing all the idols and advantages that were played incorrectly or unnecessarily.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Dec. 2025
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To clean slow cookers with non-removable inserts, fill it with hot water and dish soap, being careful to leave room at the top and not overfill it.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
28 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflow. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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