overpower

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce overpower (audio)
Definition of overpowernext
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

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.
Recent Examples of overpower An understated mix of blue and yellow tones brings warmth to the room without overpowering it. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 26 Sep. 2026 The Bison will welcome the week off after being overpowered the Panthers in the first meeting between the two Pennsylvania schools — Bucknell is in Lewisburg, about a 3 1/2-hour drive east from Pittsburgh — since 1945. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 Your excitement about a plan might overpower the actual details, Sagittarius. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2026 Every mouthful has crunchy, tangy, creamy and spicy flavors without one overpowering the other. — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpower
  1. subdue
  2. overwhelm
  3. dominate
  4. overcome
  5. conquer
  6. devastate
  7. subject
  8. defeat
Verb
  • His actions nearly crashed the flight with 182 people on board before passengers and others rushed in and subdued him.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Abiy has tried and failed to subdue Tigray’s rebellious leaders in recent months, with TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael openly challenging him.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of subdue
Verb
  • Images of hospitals overwhelmed with the sick and dying flooded our consciousness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • These had worked adequately for isolated farmers, but too many could overwhelm the absorptive capacity of the ground—especially if sprinklers were watering the lawns—causing effluent to rise to the surface or enter waterways.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of overwhelm
Verb
  • Many of the challenges dominating today’s policy debates — from military readiness and economic competitiveness to rising health care costs and declining life expectancy — have roots in childhood.
    — Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Today, many visions of the future are dominated by collapse, dystopia and fear.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of dominate
Verb
  • However, the proposal faces a steep procedural obstacle in the Senate, where most legislation needs 60 votes to invoke cloture and overcome a filibuster.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • To overcome this, scientists are exploring optical wireless communication options that can complement radio frequencies.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • If everything goes well, the marram grass should conquer the island in a couple of years.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • It’s centered on Bryant’s pillars of passion, obsession, relentlessness, resilience and fearlessness, core traits that Bowman used to persevere and conquer.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of conquer
Verb
  • The region has already been saturated by heavy rain over the past months, and regions like New Mexico and Grand Canyon were hit by devastating floods earlier this month.
    — Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Palestinian farmer Saad Nemer of Fasayil said the water being cut off has devastated his fields, adding that his family has documents that prove ownership of the land.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • Chips face orbital extremes A trip to low Earth orbit subjects a spacecraft to intense vibration and sustained acceleration reaching about 10 times Earth’s gravity.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Once the Getty expressed interest, the painting was brought to Los Angeles for its curators to assess its condition and any potential conservation needs, as well as subjecting it to further technical analysis.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of subject
Verb
  • Newsom defeated the recall attempt after nearly 62% voted to keep him in office.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Raiders rallied from a two-score deficit to defeat the New Orleans Saints 35-27, also improving to 3-0.
    — Pete Sweeney October 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat

Browse Nearby Words

overpluses
overpower
overpowered
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Cite this Entry

“Overpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpower. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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