1
as in floods
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 surpluses
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 spills
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 engulfs
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 overflows
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2025
Post updated to remove comparison to buffer overflows and SQL injections.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
What has the city done about the overflows?
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2025
This would prevent combined sewer overflows, which is when sewage floods area stormwater lines and deposits into local waterbodies.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Since 1995, the sewerage district has invested more than $580 million in green infrastructure and flood management projects to improve the landscape's ability to hold onto water, minimizing overflows.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Wetlands protect homes, reduce sewer overflows and safeguard lives.
—Howard Learner, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2025
Cape Town overflows with history and culture, from the colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage of Bo-Kaap to the solemn shores of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Things take a turn for the worse when, in a moment viewers can't stop talking about all these weeks later, Mark uses the bathroom and the toilet overflows.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
More rural parts of the country can also see overflows from factory farms, leading to large amounts of animal waste and other pollutants ending up in ponds, lakes and rivers.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Bacteria can enter beaches via stormwater runoff, failing septic systems, leaking sewer pipes and sewer overflows, among other sources, according to Massachusetts' Public Health Department and Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Sea, Mothers, Swallow, Tongues overflows with humanity.
—Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
Combined sewer overflows are unhealthy for people and the environment in a few ways.
—Noa Climor, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025
The other 23 days last summer had high caution readings that lasted anywhere from one to 24 hours, only four of those corresponding with sewer overflows.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
Human waste and trash overflows became so problematic at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California that the parks were forced to close, according to the association.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2025
Post updated to remove comparison to buffer overflows and SQL injections.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
What has the city done about the overflows?
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2025
This would prevent combined sewer overflows, which is when sewage floods area stormwater lines and deposits into local waterbodies.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Since 1995, the sewerage district has invested more than $580 million in green infrastructure and flood management projects to improve the landscape's ability to hold onto water, minimizing overflows.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Wetlands protect homes, reduce sewer overflows and safeguard lives.
—Howard Learner, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
Why do sewer overflows keep happening?
—Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2025
Cape Town overflows with history and culture, from the colorful houses and Cape Malay heritage of Bo-Kaap to the solemn shores of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
Things take a turn for the worse when, in a moment viewers can't stop talking about all these weeks later, Mark uses the bathroom and the toilet overflows.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
More rural parts of the country can also see overflows from factory farms, leading to large amounts of animal waste and other pollutants ending up in ponds, lakes and rivers.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Bacteria can enter beaches via stormwater runoff, failing septic systems, leaking sewer pipes and sewer overflows, among other sources, according to Massachusetts' Public Health Department and Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Sea, Mothers, Swallow, Tongues overflows with humanity.
—Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2025
Combined sewer overflows are unhealthy for people and the environment in a few ways.
—Noa Climor, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025
The other 23 days last summer had high caution readings that lasted anywhere from one to 24 hours, only four of those corresponding with sewer overflows.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflows
Noun
-
The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In this approach, BESS handles rapid fluctuations within milliseconds, absorbing short-term surpluses or deficits.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Oct. 2025
-
What regulated actual Southern credit markets, when bondpeople were used as collateral for loans, were surpluses from slave labor, not short-term fluctuations in slave prices.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Evening light spills across the pollinator gardens—alive with bees, hummingbirds, and the occasional wandering chicken—before dissolving into the shimmer of the Mackinac Bridge.—
Christine Chitnis,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Give any smudges or spills extra attention, rubbing in small circles until they are gone.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sedona Sedona is another popular fall break destination for many reasons, least of all being Oak Creek Canyon, which bursts with color during the autumn months.—
Laura Daniella Sepulveda,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
As Alien fans know, the facehugger will impregnate its host with a Xenomorph embryo, which eventually bursts from the host's chest.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The death of Banda Amidst the torrents, Arisu follows the sound of Usagi’s voice, as they are both swept towards a watery vortex that leads to the world of the dead.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The bulls got a dovish turn from the Federal Reserve without much noticeable slowing in growth, with stock indexes at a record, credit markets blissfully sedate and capital investments running in torrents into the economy.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This figure motivates Butrich but also overwhelms her.—
Sabrina Weiss,
The Dial,
23 Sep. 2025
-
If a disaster overwhelms state and local capacity, officials may request a presidential declaration, the agency said.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Spaces to roam are flanked by a central courtyard restaurant that buzzes with diners who feast over The House’s signature lobster pasta, moquecas (Brazilian fish stew), and cassava gnocchi.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Oct. 2025
-
From the cinemas to the speakeasy to the panels and late-night conversations, every corner buzzes with energy.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Optimism abounds, leaving the disappointment of last season’s 19-63 record in the rearview mirror.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Starting at the Windigo Visitor Center, hikers can amble up to the Minong Ridge Overlook, which is around six miles round-trip, or take the four-mile round-trip route to Grace Creek Overlook, where wildlife abounds.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overflows.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflows. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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