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
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
These are the remnants of clothes discarded in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and elsewhere that arrive in the northern Indian city of Panipat by the truckload, spilling over in loose, overflowing heaps.
—Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
The restaurant voluntarily closed due to a wastewater backup overflowing onto the floor, and reopened after a follow-up inspection.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
Rookie Carter Bryant returned from injury to inject even more physicality into a series already overflowing with it.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
The staircase to the second floor had a stair lift, and into my head drifted an image of an elderly widow, slowly ascending to her bedroom after eating alone, her kitchen overflowing with porcelain and crystal reminders of dinner parties long ago.
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
And Google was sitting on a ton of data to train on—thanks to its search index and YouTube—as well as a mountain of cash from its overflowing profits.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
My mom had a penchant for creating whimsy, and the gardens were always overflowing with endearing, often vintage garden decor to attract birds, butterflies, and to simply add charm.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2026
Loaded with vegetables, beans and herbs, this pasta salad recipe has a maximalist, kitchen-sink vibe—perfect for summer, when gardens and farmers market stands are overflowing.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 5 May 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
One of the most emotional pieces is a treasure chest overflowing with jewelry.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
These are the remnants of clothes discarded in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and elsewhere that arrive in the northern Indian city of Panipat by the truckload, spilling over in loose, overflowing heaps.
—Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
The restaurant voluntarily closed due to a wastewater backup overflowing onto the floor, and reopened after a follow-up inspection.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
Rookie Carter Bryant returned from injury to inject even more physicality into a series already overflowing with it.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 7 May 2026
The staircase to the second floor had a stair lift, and into my head drifted an image of an elderly widow, slowly ascending to her bedroom after eating alone, her kitchen overflowing with porcelain and crystal reminders of dinner parties long ago.
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
And Google was sitting on a ton of data to train on—thanks to its search index and YouTube—as well as a mountain of cash from its overflowing profits.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
My mom had a penchant for creating whimsy, and the gardens were always overflowing with endearing, often vintage garden decor to attract birds, butterflies, and to simply add charm.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2026
Loaded with vegetables, beans and herbs, this pasta salad recipe has a maximalist, kitchen-sink vibe—perfect for summer, when gardens and farmers market stands are overflowing.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 5 May 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
-
Dust gathers around overloaded outlets, surge protectors and entertainment centers, and combined with heat from electronics, that buildup can become an ignition source.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
-
This can happen due to a power surge, an overloaded circuit, or a short in the system.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These are the remnants of clothes discarded in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and elsewhere that arrive in the northern Indian city of Panipat by the truckload, spilling over in loose, overflowing heaps.—
Ayushi Shah,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
Now, one Idaho resident is more likely going to be spilling beer and potato chips on the exact same turf.—
Shaun Goodwin
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
As the memories come flooding back, so do the tears.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Decades later, a new generation is discovering her character and flooding social media with clips of her most cutting one-liners.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
My heart is bursting with gratitude.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
-
This encourages new growth and results in lilacs which appear fuller, bursting with color from the inside out.—
Emily Leahy,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
In the gubernatorial primary in Wisconsin, Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist whose campaign message centers her experience as a single mother, is currently a narrow front-runner in a crowded field.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Notably, voters will winnow a crowded field of candidates for governor down to two.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Visitors mill around the town statue of Richard Warren, Widow’s Bay’s first mayor, who was then known as Lord Protector of the Island, which seems like a really inflated job title.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
If your summer vacation budget is straining under inflated gas prices and airfare, these deals may provide relief.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Some fails stem from people overfilling the molds.—
Lisa Gutierrez
April 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Overflowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflowing. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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