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
as in irresistible
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overpowering
Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 13 Mar. 2025
Think of it like a duet, where both brands should enhance each other without overpowering.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Simplify with grays Designer Krista Nye Nicholas introduces curvy mosaics to bring interest without overpowering the rest of the bathroom design.
—Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2025
Gifting buildable yet never-overpowering color, up to 24 hours of hydration, and a kissable shine, the lightweight formula is perfect for applying on the move or carefully and methodically before a big night out.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 4 Mar. 2025
Verlander, 42, not only struck out Level, 17, on three pitches, but pitched him backwards, too, starting Level off with a changeup before dumping in a curveball and overpowering him with a fastball.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
But Strong channels the spirit of people like Jack Nicholson and James Cagney in overpowering all our dumb assumptions about naturalism and authenticity.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Don’t worry—our tester says the fragrance isn’t overpowering in the slightest.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 12 Feb. 2025
The Panthers fought to bring the Stanley Cup to South Florida for the first time in franchise history, ultimately overpowering the Oilers in an electrifying Game 7.
—Jose Iglesias, Matias Ocner, David Santiago, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Fresh Linen scent is light and refreshing, leaving clothes smelling clean without being overpowering.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 13 Mar. 2025
Think of it like a duet, where both brands should enhance each other without overpowering.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Simplify with grays Designer Krista Nye Nicholas introduces curvy mosaics to bring interest without overpowering the rest of the bathroom design.
—Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2025
Gifting buildable yet never-overpowering color, up to 24 hours of hydration, and a kissable shine, the lightweight formula is perfect for applying on the move or carefully and methodically before a big night out.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 4 Mar. 2025
Verlander, 42, not only struck out Level, 17, on three pitches, but pitched him backwards, too, starting Level off with a changeup before dumping in a curveball and overpowering him with a fastball.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
But Strong channels the spirit of people like Jack Nicholson and James Cagney in overpowering all our dumb assumptions about naturalism and authenticity.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Don’t worry—our tester says the fragrance isn’t overpowering in the slightest.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 12 Feb. 2025
The Panthers fought to bring the Stanley Cup to South Florida for the first time in franchise history, ultimately overpowering the Oilers in an electrifying Game 7.
—Jose Iglesias, Matias Ocner, David Santiago, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering
Adjective
-
Abrams and Morgan wanted to build a property around Lost star Holloway and this is, indeed, a fine outlet for his confident swagger, apparently irresistible dimples and roguish charm.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2025
-
And while their preppy sensibility is frayed in all the right places, their expansive worldview is what makes the Perfect so irresistible.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
10 May 2025
Verb
-
Outside cash is dominating the special election for a new county supervisor in the South Bay.—
Andrew Keatts,
Axios,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Vancouver, meanwhile, fell short against the New York Rangers, despite thoroughly dominating play and out-chancing the struggling Rangers by a brutally lopsided margin.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That’s overwhelming even for the most experienced investor.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2025
-
An adventurous mix of fabrics brings warmth to the primary suite, without overwhelming the space.—
Kristen Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The easy takeover of the city cheered Continental troops into thinking that Quebec City, the last bastion of British control in the province, was but the final victory in an inevitable chain of conquests.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
-
Confident of easy conquest, they were instead met by poor, brown, Indigenous Mexican fighters who refused to kneel.—
Hashim Coates,
Denver Post,
5 May 2025
Noun
-
All of that has culminated in domination at Quail Hollow.—
Kendall Capps,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
-
The group’s No. 1 run began in July 2019, when Del Barrio Hasta Aquí debuted at the summit, becoming its longest-leading set to date, with an 18-week domination.—
Pamela Bustios,
Billboard,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Is there not a single executive somewhere at Netflix to greenlight a fresh retelling of the core Hanukkah story of pride, miracles, and determined guerilla warfare against a conquering despot?—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Then English speakers began conquering Celtic, Native American, African, Australian and other peoples, pressuring or forcing them to give up their languages.—
Ross Perlin,
The Dial,
14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
During a recent morning rehearsal the two laughed often and the result was infectious.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
-
Being outdoors exposes them to several risks, including catching diseases such as herpes viral conjunctivitis, feline AIDS, leukemia, and infectious peritonitis, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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