1
as in teeming
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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
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2
as in flooding
to cover with a flood
the swollen river overflowed the surrounding land and washed several houses away
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3
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
a magazine that usually overflows with home-repair tips for the do-it-yourselfer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overflowing
Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
And Zermatt itself also has pockets of traditional charm, with streets lined with chalet after chalet and overflowing flower boxes.
—Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
JPMorgan has even needed to lease additional space to facilitate staffers’ return, renting several floors in the former Credit Suisse office close to the US lender’s overflowing European headquarters.
—Jack Sidders, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
So there Wilson went toward the overflowing Aces’ bench.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
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
Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026
This year’s rookie class is overflowing with talent A wave of blue-chip talent is on the way.
—D.j. Short, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Storm water can contain harmful pathogens and pollutants from overflowing sewage systems and animal feces flowing into storm drains.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Hourslong airport waits and crowds overflowing the terminal and spilling out onto the sidewalk greeted travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport early Monday morning, as a partial government shutdown leaves airport security checkpoints understaffed.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Glimpses came through in the haunting stream of ambulances in empty New York City streets or images of overflowing morgues.
—Fenit Nirappil, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2026
One classroom is still being used as a grocery delivery operation, overflowing with cereal, beans, masa, cleaning supplies, diapers and backpacks packed with books and stuffies.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Mar. 2026
In an inscription outside of the current building, writer Tom Corcoran claims Buffett once escaped the apartment upstairs from the bar after a lovers’ quarrel and that patrons often stood on bricks to stay out of runoff from the overflowing bathrooms while gambling on games of pool.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
No single line embodies both the overflowing kindness and fierce competence of small-town Brainerd's chief of police, Marge Gunderson.
—Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
One of Cash’s interests, carried over from Earth Angel, her 2023 debut book of short stories, is an overflowing index of animal references.
—Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
And Zermatt itself also has pockets of traditional charm, with streets lined with chalet after chalet and overflowing flower boxes.
—Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
JPMorgan has even needed to lease additional space to facilitate staffers’ return, renting several floors in the former Credit Suisse office close to the US lender’s overflowing European headquarters.
—Jack Sidders, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
So there Wilson went toward the overflowing Aces’ bench.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
Musically, the singer-songwriter presents us with 13 tracks of sonic elegance, featuring electronic touches and mesmerizing guitars that convey nostalgia while also reflecting the overflowing joy of someone who has overcome an emotional crisis.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026
This year’s rookie class is overflowing with talent A wave of blue-chip talent is on the way.
—D.j. Short, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Storm water can contain harmful pathogens and pollutants from overflowing sewage systems and animal feces flowing into storm drains.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Hourslong airport waits and crowds overflowing the terminal and spilling out onto the sidewalk greeted travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport early Monday morning, as a partial government shutdown leaves airport security checkpoints understaffed.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Glimpses came through in the haunting stream of ambulances in empty New York City streets or images of overflowing morgues.
—Fenit Nirappil, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2026
One classroom is still being used as a grocery delivery operation, overflowing with cereal, beans, masa, cleaning supplies, diapers and backpacks packed with books and stuffies.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Mar. 2026
In an inscription outside of the current building, writer Tom Corcoran claims Buffett once escaped the apartment upstairs from the bar after a lovers’ quarrel and that patrons often stood on bricks to stay out of runoff from the overflowing bathrooms while gambling on games of pool.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2026
No single line embodies both the overflowing kindness and fierce competence of small-town Brainerd's chief of police, Marge Gunderson.
—Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflowing
Adjective
-
The new findings are confounding scientists’ expectations, raising questions about how exactly molecules can encounter their reactive partners in a teeming, crowded space — and therefore how cells can possibly function.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
An indoor fire near The Alley at Latta Arcade that caused $5,000 in damages on Tuesday night was due to an overloaded electrical device, a Charlotte Fire Department spokesperson said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
For example, the robot can identify potential safety hazards, such as an unstable pallet or an overloaded shelf, and report them so the issues are addressed.—
Liam Rappleye,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This past week, in anticipation of today’s protest, metal gates were installed at some on- and off-ramps along the 101 Freeway in the downtown area to stop demonstrations from spilling onto the freeway, blocking traffic and endangering pedestrians.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The smarter move is to convert only enough to fill your current bracket without spilling into the next one.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The American Jewish community responded to the Yom Kippur War, which killed nearly three thousand Israeli soldiers, by flooding Israel with donations; doctors and students volunteered to join the war effort.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The roots hold fast to mud and soil, reducing erosion and absorbing the power of storm surge to protect inland areas from flooding.—
Ryan Kellman,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As spring blooming bulbs, tulips are often associated with renewal, bursting forth after the last winter freeze.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
24 Mar. 2026
-
At a slim 76 minutes, Sparks pulls you in tight and never lets go, every frame bursting with teen angst and longing.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The couple, who had been married for 50 years, didn’t know a gunman would take them hostage while trying evade police after a shootout in the crowded neighborhood park.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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Despite the crowded group, Hetherman said Dunnigan will have a chance to compete for playing time.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Investigators laid out a pattern of inaccurate and incomplete campaign finance reports across several election cycles, including improper contributions falsely reported as personal loans, acceptance of improper contributions and inflated cash-on-hand numbers.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Some of the exclusive merchandise has already appeared on eBay at inflated prices.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
To reduce ice crystal formation and freezer burn, use airtight packaging and avoid overfilling the freezer so air can circulate properly.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Overflowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflowing. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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