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
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
The following year, the school board put up three temporary outbuildings to accommodate the overflow.
—Jonathan Entin, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Myka has her birthday party at a polo field so that everyone can take lessons and her hottie brother can wear cowboy boots and look like the most American thing in England outside of a McDonald’s soda cup that is overflowing with ice.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Noun
Thrift + Store at 1405 Jupiter Road Suite, was temporarily closed and the food establishment permit was suspended due to sewage overflow.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
The following year, the school board put up three temporary outbuildings to accommodate the overflow.
—Jonathan Entin, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The long-running series is enjoying its latest act on Netflix after previously airing on Fox and USA, tantalizing viewers by thrusting four couples due for a reckoning into an exotic locale overflowing with sultry singles whose only goal is to flirt.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Myka has her birthday party at a polo field so that everyone can take lessons and her hottie brother can wear cowboy boots and look like the most American thing in England outside of a McDonald’s soda cup that is overflowing with ice.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflow
Noun
-
An aerial photo of the Cheboygan Lock and Dam taken Saturday, April 11, shows water moving through the system, and flood precautionary measures, including pumps and sandbags, being taken at the dam.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Don't walk through flood waters.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
If the conflict lasts a few months and energy and trade flows return to normal, Gulf states will once again run large surpluses.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
-
And if white-collar work keeps compressing while companies pocket the surplus, the question that matters most isn’t how much work AI can do.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Inside, reclaimed wood and natural stone juxtapose the greenery climbing over terraces and spilling into courtyards.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The most dramatic thing that happens is that someone spills some tea.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump, the face of Satan with his hypocrite MAGA demons, engulfed in Epstein stench.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
While the daily hustle is just beginning for many, evidenced by the amount of foot traffic spotted passing by through the glass windows of the hotel’s restaurant, Jeff Peterson settles in to momentarily enjoy the Hornets’ metamorphosis and enthusiasm engulfing the franchise.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rico, his wife Michele and daughter Mia burst from their chairs and cheer as Domino flexes his arms, each sleeved in tattoos of dominoes, palm trees and a Cuban cafetera with biceps.—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
My heart is constantly bursting open, while also breaking into a million pieces.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His remarks sparked a torrent of criticism on social media, where some commentators faulted him for embracing technology that could kill jobs in the entertainment industry.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Wandering through the wash, the mind drifts not to the film but to the flash floods that move through this channel after heavy rains, sudden torrents cutting and reshaping the valley floor in a matter of hours.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
How war became inevitable Yet Netanyahu shows no concern for how Israel’s excesses are fueling antisemitism in what has been Israel’s only dependable ally.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
-
McIlroy, in particular, was thought to have turned down an offer in excess of Jon Rahm’s reported £500 million contract.—
Will Barker,
TheWeek,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Two days later, Gomes Akay was seen dragging a large suitcase that appeared to be overfilled from the hotel.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Some fails stem from people overfilling the molds.—
Lisa Gutierrez
April 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflow. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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