1
as in dominated
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 overwhelmed
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
overpowered by fear of the unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of overpowered
Garnished with a Sour Punch Straw, half a strawberry, a cherry and chamoy sauce, the aftertaste of liquor is overpowered by the cold, smooth texture of the treat.
—
Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
But once again, the Thunder’s depth showed up and overpowered the Spurs.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 27 May 2026
This is an excellent and flavorful barrel-proof bourbon that is never overpowered by heat and alcohol, and has become a fan favorite and collectible whiskey over the years.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors wrote that the group restrained Guerrero, took his drugs and then lured his wife into the apartment, where she was also overpowered and bound.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The end result was the ball in the back of the net as Smithson Valley, who overpowered opponents 153-9 this spring, won 1-0 in what may have amounted to its tightest game of the season.
—Staff Writter, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
Michigan overpowered Arizona early and humbled the Wildcats all night long, turning the Final Four meeting billed as the Game of the Year into a 91-73 Wolverines highlight reel Saturday night.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Oftentimes, the backing track very clearly overpowered his vocals.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Ignoring common sense and the pleas of three nonpartisan good government groups, the four Democrats on the state Public Campaign Finance Board overpowered the three Republicans and knocked the GOP candidate for governor, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, out of the matching funds program.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Zuri Primos, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026
But once again, the Thunder’s depth showed up and overpowered the Spurs.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 27 May 2026
This is an excellent and flavorful barrel-proof bourbon that is never overpowered by heat and alcohol, and has become a fan favorite and collectible whiskey over the years.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
Prosecutors wrote that the group restrained Guerrero, took his drugs and then lured his wife into the apartment, where she was also overpowered and bound.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
The end result was the ball in the back of the net as Smithson Valley, who overpowered opponents 153-9 this spring, won 1-0 in what may have amounted to its tightest game of the season.
—Staff Writter, Dallas Morning News, 8 Apr. 2026
Michigan overpowered Arizona early and humbled the Wildcats all night long, turning the Final Four meeting billed as the Game of the Year into a 91-73 Wolverines highlight reel Saturday night.
—CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Oftentimes, the backing track very clearly overpowered his vocals.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Ignoring common sense and the pleas of three nonpartisan good government groups, the four Democrats on the state Public Campaign Finance Board overpowered the three Republicans and knocked the GOP candidate for governor, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, out of the matching funds program.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowered
Verb
-
Ahead of the endorsement vote, Klobuchar supporters holding batons with flashing green lights dominated the convention floor.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
-
On the other hand, nonbiological chemistry is more limited and dominated by molecules that form randomly.—
Gideon Yoffe,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Judges report receiving violent threats and intimidation tactics—including death threats and unsolicited pizzas sent to their homes—following adverse rulings against the administration, with federal marshal services overwhelmed by a 78% increase in threats against judges over four years.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
She has been overwhelmed by emotions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 May 2026
Verb
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But by 2010, her inner punk and penchant for pattern-maxxing had subdued.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
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Aside from the occasional siren and the presence of television crews along the sidewalk, the atmosphere was subdued and traffic around the hospital continued to move steadily.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
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The 18 in a row for New York had people talking about the 22-point deficit the Knicks overcame to win Game 1.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
24 May 2026
-
Momentum skewed toward the Mercury for much of Sunday afternoon’s game, but the Dream overcame it all to win 82-80.—
Lauren Williams,
AJC.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The track arrived shortly after Langley's sophomore album Dandelion conquered both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums chart, and it was quickly added to that set's track list.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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In 1926, when the founder of modern Saudi Arabia conquered Mecca, his religious militia attacked the Egyptian caravan in a clash known as the Maḥmal Incident.—
Iqbal Akhtar,
The Conversation,
25 May 2026
Verb
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This iconic resort, located 16 miles north of Kailua-Kona at the site of an ancient fishing village leased from the Kamehameha Schools, first opened in the 1960s and was shut down after a tsunami devastated much of the coast in 2011.—
Brianna Randall,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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The sisters said Perez was a loving mother and daughter, and her death has devastated their mother.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 May 2026
Verb
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But that was no surprise in a notoriously toxic period for British tabloids that subjected female stars (both homegrown and American, like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears) to invasions of privacy and public hounding.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
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One of the officers working here had been brought to trial in Germany for practicing the very forms of torture to which I was subjected myself.—
Amer Matar,
The Dial,
26 May 2026
Verb
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DeGette has defeated primary challengers before, but this time her opponents have lined up long endorsement rosters.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
McKendree University defeated Cal State San Marcos 4-3 Sunday to eliminate the Cougars and advance to the best-of-three series to determine the NCAA Division II softball champions.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overpowered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowered. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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