as in dominating
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control
the overpowering of much of Europe by the Nazis during World War II
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in subduing
to bring under one's control by force of arms
the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overwhelming
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
overpowered by fear of the unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in irresistible
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overpowering
Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
While Skenes made his MLB debut last year after only 12 overpowering minor-league starts, Waldrep was merely mortal in 46 outings in the Braves’ farm system.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Eos Fragrance Free Body Lotion Many body lotions have overpowering scents that can make anyone's eyes water.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Rounding out the palette, chalky green trim (Paint & Paper Library Willow V) frames the room without overpowering it.
—Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
Snarky online spiel aside, this is actually a really nice shirt, with the bold red contrasting the off-white main body really nicely, without overpowering the whole shirt.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
The orchestra, faithfully recreating ABBA’s arrangements, can be a bit loud, at times overpowering the vocal performances, especially Amy Weaver’s.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
This is a very smooth, drinkable wheat with low carbonation and just the right amount of orange sweetness without being overpowering.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Once in the body, CO molecules hijack your red blood cells, overpowering oxygen in the bloodstream and shutting off critical O2 supply to the brain, heart and other organs.
—New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2025
These sterling silver stunners look just as chic on their own, with a clean, mid-sized silhouette that delivers subtle impact without overpowering your look.
—Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
Etzel scored later on a wild pitch — but Tolle retired 15 straight batters after the leadoff hit to conclude his latest overpowering outing.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
While Skenes made his MLB debut last year after only 12 overpowering minor-league starts, Waldrep was merely mortal in 46 outings in the Braves’ farm system.
—Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The interference has included both jamming—overpowering communications with strong radio signals—and spoofing, which tricks receivers into misreading their location or even the time.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Eos Fragrance Free Body Lotion Many body lotions have overpowering scents that can make anyone's eyes water.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Rounding out the palette, chalky green trim (Paint & Paper Library Willow V) frames the room without overpowering it.
—Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2025
Snarky online spiel aside, this is actually a really nice shirt, with the bold red contrasting the off-white main body really nicely, without overpowering the whole shirt.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
The orchestra, faithfully recreating ABBA’s arrangements, can be a bit loud, at times overpowering the vocal performances, especially Amy Weaver’s.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
This is a very smooth, drinkable wheat with low carbonation and just the right amount of orange sweetness without being overpowering.
—Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Once in the body, CO molecules hijack your red blood cells, overpowering oxygen in the bloodstream and shutting off critical O2 supply to the brain, heart and other organs.
—New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2025
These sterling silver stunners look just as chic on their own, with a clean, mid-sized silhouette that delivers subtle impact without overpowering your look.
—Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering
Noun
-
Just one week after wowing spectators at the US Open with her dominating and inspiring tennis skills, Coco Gauff shifted her razor-sharp focus to her other passion—fashion.—
Paul Chi,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The strange power of a three-decade-old song dominating summer playlists is no accident.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Giants won in all kinds of encouraging ways while subduing the wild-card-leading Cubs in a 5-2 victory Tuesday night.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The two also showed a demonstration of what a K9 takedown looks like, with Humphries acting as a target and K9 Bob subduing him.—
Richard Requena,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As experts, the members of Forbes Business Council have experience implementing customer service best practices without exceeding their budget or overwhelming their team.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Credit Denver’s defensive-line depth, too, which was better than advertised in keeping rookie Cam Ward off balance all day and overwhelming the Titans’ offensive line.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But to Hollywood, Pusser’s defiant story was irresistible.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In our first-ever audience-chosen musical screening, a young bride invites the three men who may potentially be her father to her Greek wedding, all set to the irresistible music of ABBA.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the early colonial period, publications often contained collections of high-profile personalities’ portraits, starting with the depiction of high-ranking Japanese colonial officials began in 1896, with an illustrated account of the Japanese conquest of the island.—
H.M.A. Leow,
JSTOR Daily,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Instead of conquest, the focus was intimacy—feeling the land under your feet, learning animal tracks, listening to the bush itself.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even after the company turned much of its attention towards other genres — conquering the planet with World of Warcraft — StarCraft 2 arrived in 2010 to critical and player acclaim.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
My mission in life is to empower leaders to cultivate inner mastery and empathy, knowing that true strength comes from conquering inner battles and developing a growth mindset.—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
From delivering disaster relief during devastating recent floods to investing in food banks, the business’ presence extends far beyond its checkout lines.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
While the negative human-health effects of smoke from the Glass Fire have been well documented, the toxic brown blanket covering the Napa Valley is also devastating bee populations, said local beekeeper John Sevigny.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Packers’ domination of Detroit just one game?—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
More recently, from 2013 to 2014, Gardin documented the destructive transit of cruise ships through Venice’s delicate canals—a grotesque symbol for the domination of the city, and the country, by tourism and big business.—
Max Norman,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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