1
as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
overpowered by fear of the unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overpower
Maddeningly, the cartels and dealers know just how to capitalize on that overpowering reality of the human condition.
—
Sterling Elliott, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
In September 1984, Braddy escaped from custody three times, overpowering a Miami-Dade corrections officer and four Broward sheriff’s deputies, according to the Miami Herald archives.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Bradley tries to make his move and stab her, but Linda is able to overpower him.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
This hair fragrance blends fresh florals with honey for a long-lasting sweetness that isn’t overpowering or saccharine.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Sterling Elliott, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
In September 1984, Braddy escaped from custody three times, overpowering a Miami-Dade corrections officer and four Broward sheriff’s deputies, according to the Miami Herald archives.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026
Bradley tries to make his move and stab her, but Linda is able to overpower him.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
This hair fragrance blends fresh florals with honey for a long-lasting sweetness that isn’t overpowering or saccharine.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpower
Verb
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The last Winter Olympics, held in Beijing during COVID, were subdued.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2026
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Fans in the arena have been fairly subdued, but an in-house DJ has made a steady stream of dance hits the day’s soundtrack.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Central Florida, activists still are hoping to overwhelm HLI Partners with their opposition to any sale.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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But when digital gargoyles start flying down from the ceiling, the horror-action mechanics Besson can’t help but include here overwhelm whatever intimacy his film had before.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The rival bids have drawn scrutiny from antitrust experts and lawmakers, who worry that either death could reduce competition in an entertainment industry already dominated by streaming giants.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
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It’s speculated that a runaway greenhouse effect took place on Venus long ago, leading to its dense, thick, hot atmosphere, dominated by carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid clouds.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Environmental justice advocates say that, in the past, vulnerable communities viewed the federal government as an ally to overcome roadblocks with local and state governments to access resources.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
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And none have the same late-season baggage to overcome as the Red Wings.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The last hurrah was a free agent spending spree designed to conquer the Dallas Cowboys that resulted in their last championship following the 1994 season, enabling Steve Young to escape the shadow of Joe Montana with a 49-26 win over the San Diego Chargers in Miami.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
7 Feb. 2026
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The Ovelyn partition divides but doesn’t necessarily conquer your design, thanks to its minimal and timeless silhouette.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The synthetic opioid is far more potent than heroin and has devastated communities across the country.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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In Kristin Dwyer's In Time With You (out March 3 from Wednesday Books), that's the conundrum facing Nieve Monroe, who's devastated after her boyfriend Carter dies saving her from drowning.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Revelations in 2020 that Boohoo’s Leicester contractors were subjecting their workers to exploitative pay and unsafe conditions certainly sullied the Midlands city’s reputation.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2026
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The environmental group has argued that the exchange of funds between the state and federal governments is the trigger that would subject the Everglades detention center to environmental impact assessment regulations.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 2022, Horvath won her supervisorial seat, defeating former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, a political veteran.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Landsman, a Cincinnati Democrat, defeated Sonza 54% to 46% in 2024.—
Erin Glynn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpower. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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