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
Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 8 June 2026
Later this summer, McFadden plans to reopen a former juvenile jail and keep adults there to manage overflow.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 June 2026
But nothing compared to the overflowing crowds that congregated after Saturday’s championship clincher.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Noun
After a perfect drive on 18, Korda took the walk that so many champions have taken, strolling up Riviera’s famed 18th fairway, staring at the overflow crowd sitting around the green that was waiting to cheer her victory.
—Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 8 June 2026
Later this summer, McFadden plans to reopen a former juvenile jail and keep adults there to manage overflow.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026
Verb
Our deals page overflows with offers.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 15 June 2026
But nothing compared to the overflowing crowds that congregated after Saturday’s championship clincher.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflow
Noun
-
Assemblyman Alex Bores is locked in a tight race ahead of the June 23 primary and may have benefitted from a flood of attack advertising sponsored by tech billionaires who don’t like his focus on regulating artificial intelligence.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
-
State workers from six departments were bestowed with California’s highest honor for public employees who have performed daring rescues in extreme conditions, including floods, wildfires and active shooter incidents.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Analysts project the state budget’s Special Transportation Fund — which is paid for chiefly with various fuel and sales tax receipts — will run up a $214 million or 9% surplus next fiscal year, leaving some to ask why the diesel tax is increasing at all.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
16 June 2026
-
When the state's income tax refund fund carries a surplus of $150 million or more, money over that amount will be directed to pensions.—
Ben Szalinski,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Blood had already been spilled at Lexington and Concord, and at Bunker Hill.—
Dr. Matthew Warshauer,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
-
My personal favorite, however, has been Knicks star Mikal Bridges spilling the beans on anything and everything on Instagram Live.—
Harrison Jacobs,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The fire engulfed approximately 8,600 square feet of the cathedral’s roof before being extinguished by local firefighters.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
15 June 2026
-
Emergency personnel learned from a caller that the plane was engulfed in flames and was in a field near the regional airport.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, hopping balls usually come with a weight limit to prevent users from bursting the ball and injuring themselves in the process.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
-
Juicy blueberries burst during baking, melding with the fresh peach juices for a gorgeous, saucy filling in this pie.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Eighty lines, one for each rainy season a composer might hope to enjoy in his lifetime, all washed away in a torrent.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
13 June 2026
-
The people calling them to collect often endure a torrent of verbal abuse and threats of violence.—
Lily Boyce,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Stylish excesses are dialed back as cleaner camerawork, steadier editing and Farrell’s tender narration let the character breathe, blending sci-fi curiosity with classic detective-story stakes.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
And some creators, like Yeezy, see their right to print guns as an essential bulwark against the darkest excesses of America’s current government.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
If your model uses a bag, make sure it is not overfilled.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
5 June 2026
-
When overfilled, food particles can be transferred from one dish to another while running.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflow. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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