Synonyms of overflow

overflow 1 of 2

noun

ˈō-vər-ˌflō 

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

• flood
• torrent
• stream
• inundation
• influx
• tide
• river
• deluge
• bath
• avalanche
• flood tide
• Niagara
• spate
• cataract
• waterfall
• outflow
• blizzard
• inflow
• cataclysm
• cascade
• alluvion
• outpouring
• current
• flush
• surplus
• gush
• excess
• washout
• discharge
• flux
• glut
• cloudburst
• overabundance
• oversupply
• surfeit
• superabundance
• engulfment
• overage
• superfluity
• overkill
• overmuch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drought
• drip
• trickle
• dribble

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

• surplus
• excess
• abundance
• sufficiency
• overabundance
• oversupply
• surfeit
• surplusage
• superabundance
• overage
• superfluity
• plus
• overkill
• plethora
• plenty
• redundancy
• overplus
• fat
• bounty
• bellyful
• overmuch
• profusion
• overproduction
• plentitude
• overstock

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deficiency
• deficit
• insufficiency
• lack
• scarcity
• undersupply
• dearth
• want

overflow

2 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈflō 

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

• flood
• spill
• overfill
• flush
• engulf
• flow
• pour
• stream
• run over
• submerge
• inundate
• overwhelm
• boil over
• deluge
• spurt
• gush
• drown
• sluice
• swamp
• spout
• wash (over)
• cascade
• well (up)
• brim
• slosh
• slop
• submerse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recede

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

• flood
• engulf
• overwhelm
• drown
• submerge
• inundate
• deluge
• gulf
• swamp
• flush
• overcome
• flow
• overrun
• stream
• submerse
• wet
• avalanche
• smother
• gush
• spurt
• pour
• sluice
• spout
• soak
• drench
• douse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drain
• dry
• dehydrate
• parch

3

as in to burst

to be copiously supplied

a magazine that usually overflows with home-repair tips for the do-it-yourselfer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• burst
• buzz
• bulge
• brim
• teem
• hum
• abound
• swarm
• crawl
• bustle
• bristle
• pullulate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• need
• want
• lack

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overflow

Noun

Mexican authorities announced no more than 25,000 will be allowed to gather near the statue, with overflow crowds directed to 49 other locations along Paseo de la Reforma and throughout the city featuring screens showing the game. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

There are hundreds of sewer overflow points throughout the Allegheny, the Monongahela and the Ohio rivers, Daniel Bain, associate professor of geology and environmental science at University of Pittsburgh. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Verb

Residents rush animals and campers to higher ground At a wild animal rescue, Katie Buck evacuated several dozen animals to higher ground in the dark Thursday as the normally dry Lazy Creek overflowed. — Jesse Bedayn, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2026

Too many suds can overflow, making a mess and potentially damaging your appliance. — Martha Stewart, 15 July 2026