1
as in spilling
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flooding
to cover with a flood
the swollen river overflowed the surrounding land and washed several houses away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
a magazine that usually overflows with home-repair tips for the do-it-yourselfer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in overloaded
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overflowing
Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a popular playground.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Despite planning my outfits for every day and night of the trip, my carry-on suitcase was overflowing.
—Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Fall is the season when gutters are most likely to back up, overflowing or preventing rainwater from draining away properly.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
More than 50 youth teams of five players each were registered before still more had to be turned away from the overflowing event, first intended as a tribute to Ryan and a celebration of the sheer spirit of play.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025
The Fox River near New Munster is overflowing, affecting areas in both Wisconsin and Illinois.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 23 Aug. 2025
That is, unless intense precipitation levels overwhelm sewers already overflowing within the city, and officials open the locks between the river and the lake and reverse that flow.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The shelters are overflowing, and some dogs don't make it out.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Best Side Table with Shelving For those with an overflowing amount of books, print media, or records, look for an end table that can double as a display case for your favorite pieces.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
The more unexpected takeaway was the show's graphic depiction of an overflowing toilet as the climax of the episode, which was set on Thanksgiving Day.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a popular playground.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Luckily, Amazon’s fashion department is overflowing with affordable flare jeans to snag today.
—Clara McMahon, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Despite planning my outfits for every day and night of the trip, my carry-on suitcase was overflowing.
—Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2025
Fall is the season when gutters are most likely to back up, overflowing or preventing rainwater from draining away properly.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
More than 50 youth teams of five players each were registered before still more had to be turned away from the overflowing event, first intended as a tribute to Ryan and a celebration of the sheer spirit of play.
—Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2025
The Fox River near New Munster is overflowing, affecting areas in both Wisconsin and Illinois.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 23 Aug. 2025
That is, unless intense precipitation levels overwhelm sewers already overflowing within the city, and officials open the locks between the river and the lake and reverse that flow.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The shelters are overflowing, and some dogs don't make it out.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Best Side Table with Shelving For those with an overflowing amount of books, print media, or records, look for an end table that can double as a display case for your favorite pieces.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflowing
Verb
-
The tractor-trailer, carrying beverages, rode along the median barrier, splitting open from the side and spilling bottles across the roadway, the fire department posted on Facebook.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Once, a meat processor asked about plugs to keep entrails from sheep carcasses from spilling onto production lines.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Djed Spence had to cope with him, Dembele and Achraf Hakimi flooding his side of the pitch.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The Plowshare Project dreamt up idealistic, peacetime applications, such as reversing the course of rivers, triggering small earthquakes to prevent large ones from forming, flooding desserts, and, above all, snaking out a Central American canal with fewer vulnerabilities.—
Shoshi Parks,
Popular Science,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
An affectionate little cat with a heart bursting with love for humans is looking for a home at a Texas shelter.—
TJ Macias,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The novel sparkles with Sosa’s signature wit and sense of humor; the banter between Javi and Mari is deliciously funny, bursting with laugh-out-loud moments on seemingly every other page.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Spencer were notified on Friday of an overloaded vessel with 191 migrant onboard being disabled in international waters.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Both offer epic burgers, Friday catfish and overloaded sundaes.—
Kat Robinson RIVER VALLEY EATS,
Arkansas Online,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As a producer, Turbo is most adept at creating cinematic beats capable of engulfing you in a world of his own creation.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
24 Aug. 2025
-
From Turkey, Greece, Albania, to Portugal, France, and Spain, ferocious flames are engulfing forests, leaving destruction in their wake.—
Marianne Lehnis,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
South America is buzzing with debates over whether Maduro should be exiled or imprisoned.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
On the Gran Vía, Belle Époque façades meet grand theaters and glittering shops buzzing into the night.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On crowded factory floors, machines must share space with each other and with obstacles while working at high speed.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The evening included readings of erotic poetry by James Massiah and Adult Entertainment, sensual cocktails canapés by Heal Goblin, as well as beers and cans of water for those who couldn’t get into the crowded venue that poured out onto the street.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The lavender and orange blossom in Libre complement the floral elements in The Ivory perfectly, while adding a bit more projection and longevity without overwhelming the delicate marshmallow base.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
-
But the key to getting this look just right is to take a thoughtful approach — blend classic elements of the style in a way that resonates with your everyday living, and add some retro flair (without overwhelming yourself or your space).—
Shivani Vyas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overflowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflowing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share