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
The emotional exhaustion, as much as the physical, will be overpowering.
—
Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 June 2025
The product smelled nice, not overpowering, and glided easily onto the skin.
—Deanna Pai, Glamour, 12 June 2025
In his short essay film, playing with the legacy of video art, an animator navigates the conflicting implications of generative AI: a technology that both empowers and overpowers the notion of creativity.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 June 2025
Sweet bread-and-butter pickles, or other pickles that use too much garlic or other seasonings, might overpower the balance of acidity (lemon), sweetness (sugar) and saltiness (pickle brine).
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 June 2025
The product smelled nice, not overpowering, and glided easily onto the skin.
—Deanna Pai, Glamour, 12 June 2025
In his short essay film, playing with the legacy of video art, an animator navigates the conflicting implications of generative AI: a technology that both empowers and overpowers the notion of creativity.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 10 June 2025
Sweet bread-and-butter pickles, or other pickles that use too much garlic or other seasonings, might overpower the balance of acidity (lemon), sweetness (sugar) and saltiness (pickle brine).
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpower
Verb
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Many of these women, though seemingly silent or subdued, speak volumes through their emotions and inner turmoil.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 June 2025
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The overall market reaction to the attacks between the longtime regional foes has, admittedly, been fairly subdued since the strikes began late Thursday local time in New York.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
18 June 2025
Verb
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This can overwhelm analysts and lead to alert fatigue.—
Bhupendra Singh,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Among other things, a lack of staff hampered the State Emergency Response Team’s ability to maintain a 24-hour operation that was supposed to support local and county officials who were overwhelmed by the massive storm.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The right hemisphere of the brain dominates in spatial attention, while the right amygdala is dominant for processing threats.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
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The early adopter was Montgomery Ward, but Sears and Roebuck—the Amazon and Walmart of their day—would soon dominate the business.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Verb
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There can be ways to overcome the objections of the people who are concerned that new technology will make their jobs obsolete.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Verb
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The singer-songwriter first conquered the tally in May 2021 with Latest Record Project, Volume 1.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Oasis were always unashamed in their ambition and bold about conquering the world, but they were staggered by the experience of playing at their club’s home stadium.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
29 June 2025
Verb
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People were aware of the risk of fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and a 1923 magnitude 8 earthquake and firestorm that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, causing an astonishing 142,800 deaths, according to the USGS.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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He’s been through adversity and grown stronger James’ drive to give back began during his freshman year at Tulane, when Hurricane Ida devastated New Orleans.—
Shane Connuck
June 26,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Hwang loudly calls out the flaw of democracy that allows the barest of majorities to subject all to nightmarish policies — even more nightmarish for those who voted against them.—
Michael Ordoña,
Los Angeles Times,
27 June 2025
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Congress passed the law that led to its creation based on its power under the Constitution’s spending clause, which allows Congress to subject federal funds to certain requirements.—
Naomi Cahn,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The Italian became the first man or woman from her country to defeat a top-3 seed at Wimbledon since the Open Era began in 1968.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Unlike other characters that need to jump on enemies to defeat them, DK can throw an endless stream of haymaker punches in all directions and can even rip chunks of rock and the ground itself out to throw with precision.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpower. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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