overmastering 1 of 2

adjective

ˌō-vər-ˈma-stə-riŋ How to pronounce overmastering (audio)
Definition of overmasteringnext
as in main
coming before all others in importance a matter that should be given overmastering priority by the incoming administration

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overmastering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of overmaster
as in overwhelming
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress the student was overmastered by the stress of taking the college placement test and broke down crying

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overmastering
  1. main
  2. overwhelming
  3. predominant
  4. overcoming
  5. dominant
  6. devastating
  7. primary
  8. foremost
Adjective
  • In 2019, a train lost control while approaching Cairo’s main station in Ramses Square, igniting a fire that killed 25 people.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Tens of thousands of people packed Florida’s main square for the Mass under brilliant blue skies, some walking for several kilometers (miles) to reach the site.
    — Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of main
Verb
  • This approach offers a bold personal statement without overwhelming or darkening the entire room.
    — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 3 Nov. 2026
  • These two areas occupy nearly the entire length of the home and offer the space needed to accommodate large parties without overwhelming smaller gatherings.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of overwhelming
Adjective
  • In these regions, the predominant ailments are HIV/AIDS, premature birth and birth trauma, congenital anomalies and injuries.
    — Emilee Flynn, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Another complicating factor is that H1N1 has been the dominant strain this year, compared to the previous few years when the H3N2 strain was the predominant one.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of predominant
Verb
  • Third of all, overcoming two years of dread took a long time.
    — Monique John, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • About that theme of overcoming numerous challenges, from March through October.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of overcoming
Adjective
  • Georgia turned in one of the most dominant performances of the season in a 42-7 victory at Mississippi on Saturday.
    — Eric Olson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In 2021, Larson won 10 races and was more or less a dominant force.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of dominant
Verb
  • The story here is about the strange relationships that form in the wake of devastating loss, and an examination of the unpredictable, messy and confusing connections often found between people experiencing grief.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Just one week after devastating flooding across southwest Colorado, another powerful storm is moving in.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of devastating
Adjective
  • Party organizations were strong, our legislative allies were aligned, and labor held significant influence within the primary process.
    — Denis Hughes, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Much of his campaign was run against the Democratic establishment, with his primary opponent backed by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
    — Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of primary
Adjective
  • The bigger problem, explained one of the world’s foremost experts on longevity, is timing.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Astaire is the world's foremost exponent of that particular variety of heart throb!
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of foremost
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.

Browse Nearby Words

overmastered
overmastering
overmasters
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Cite this Entry

“Overmastering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overmastering. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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