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
Related 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
Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Chavarria was a cult designer at the time—an unsung name on the New York Fashion Week lineup that each season delivered a two-punch of a political statement and a singular sartorial proposition, both often related to his Chicano roots, even if at times the former overpowering the latter.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
Peppermint and chocolate are a classic combo, but sometimes the mint flavor can taste too artificial or overpowering in baked goods when using an extract, which this recipe forgoes in favor of the peppermint candies.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025
Some people might find the scent overpowering.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
There was no overpowering onion, which drives me nuts in potato salad.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Apr. 2026
The Elden Ring sets are looking very real in a way that summons an overpowering urge to replay a game that takes 400 hours to get through.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Once any chemical smells are gone, a lightly scented candle or diffuser adds a nice touch without being too overpowering.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026
The stench of death in Sinjar was so overpowering that Holland had to stop talking on camera.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
When the crew retracted the drill to replace its bit, an overpowering jet of oil fountained from the well.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Against Mexico, Skenes struck out seven across four overpowering innings.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 June 2026
Slaten began in top form, overpowering Goldschmidt and likely American League MVP contender Ben Rice, but Bellinger retook the lead for New York with a home run to right-center.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
The dressing, based on nuoc cham, a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce, has just enough fish sauce to give it depth and pungency without overpowering the brightness of the lime.
—Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
There are no flashy logos or overpowering buckles, giving the bag a restrained quality that lets the unique shape be the star.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson said the barrel program is carefully designed to support the whiskey through more than a decade of aging without overpowering the spirit.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Instead of overpowering the dish, the mustard gave it a savory flavor that balanced nicely with the creamy texture of the potatoes.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Disasters spark an outpouring of kindness between strangers, overpowering any social barriers that existed before.
—Pauline Bartolone, NPR, 23 May 2026
The Avalanche have lived up to their overpowering name.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Noun
In Michigan’s overpowering run in this tournament, Mara was everywhere.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Chavarria was a cult designer at the time—an unsung name on the New York Fashion Week lineup that each season delivered a two-punch of a political statement and a singular sartorial proposition, both often related to his Chicano roots, even if at times the former overpowering the latter.
—José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026
Peppermint and chocolate are a classic combo, but sometimes the mint flavor can taste too artificial or overpowering in baked goods when using an extract, which this recipe forgoes in favor of the peppermint candies.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025
Some people might find the scent overpowering.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
No pitcher has been as overpowering as Garcia was under the lights.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
There was no overpowering onion, which drives me nuts in potato salad.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Apr. 2026
The Elden Ring sets are looking very real in a way that summons an overpowering urge to replay a game that takes 400 hours to get through.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Once any chemical smells are gone, a lightly scented candle or diffuser adds a nice touch without being too overpowering.
—Kate Donovan, Martha Stewart, 11 Apr. 2026
The stench of death in Sinjar was so overpowering that Holland had to stop talking on camera.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
When the crew retracted the drill to replace its bit, an overpowering jet of oil fountained from the well.
—Jeffrey Marlow, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
In the darkened foyer, Ember contemplated this unassuming bit of paper, momentarily paralyzed by a mixture of dread and excitement stirred together, an overpowering sensation that oozed from the crown of her head, down the length of her body, then hardened, like a soft golden resin becoming solid.
—Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Against Mexico, Skenes struck out seven across four overpowering innings.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
The games were neither displays of baseball elegance nor overpowering runaways.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 June 2026
Slaten began in top form, overpowering Goldschmidt and likely American League MVP contender Ben Rice, but Bellinger retook the lead for New York with a home run to right-center.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2026
The dressing, based on nuoc cham, a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce, has just enough fish sauce to give it depth and pungency without overpowering the brightness of the lime.
—Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
There are no flashy logos or overpowering buckles, giving the bag a restrained quality that lets the unique shape be the star.
—Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Michter’s Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson said the barrel program is carefully designed to support the whiskey through more than a decade of aging without overpowering the spirit.
—Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Instead of overpowering the dish, the mustard gave it a savory flavor that balanced nicely with the creamy texture of the potatoes.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Disasters spark an outpouring of kindness between strangers, overpowering any social barriers that existed before.
—Pauline Bartolone, NPR, 23 May 2026
The Avalanche have lived up to their overpowering name.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering
Noun
-
Crosby helped invent the modern multimedia entertainer, dominating radio, records, film, and later television with a reach almost unimaginable without social media.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
2 June 2026
-
Díaz’s dominating force in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations won him the tournament’s golden boot and secured Morocco’s place in the final.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Book three of Kennedy’s Off-Campus series, The Score, follows Dean, who’s something of a playboy thanks to his irresistible charm and good looks.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
28 May 2026
-
Loren Padelford finds impossible problems irresistible.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Viewers have already seen glimpses of the premiere, which involves Aang and Katara subduing a sea serpent while guiding refugees across a treacherous path.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
-
Officers then shot her with a Taser, subduing her enough to take her into custody, police said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Tennis courts, a dedicated pickleball court, fitness center, swimming pool, whirlpool tub, private garage parking and a residents-only clubhouse keep the lifestyle fully supported without overwhelming the setting.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
Overall on Wednesday, the Giants’ defense was dominant, with Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dennard Wilson’s secondary blitzes, Arvell Reese and Jevon Holland and others overwhelming Jaxson Dart’s offense.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Leo cited the 16th century Spanish intellectual tradition, known as the School of Salamanca, that gave rise to concepts of international law and inherent human rights after Spain’s colonial conquests of the Americas.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
-
The study does not dispute Sparta's later reputation as a military power, but argues the city-state's origins were not just a simple story of conquest.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
The energy is often infectious.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
-
Her kindness, generosity, and infectious spirit touched every single one of us.—
Harry Harris,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
New historical research suggests that one of the most legendary cities in history did not start out as a conquering warrior state — poking a hole in its founding myth.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
-
Some people think, oh, the show’s about true romance, true love conquering it all.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The British government refused to subsidize food prices or restrict exports of Irish agricultural goods, further devastating the island.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
The carp have already shifted Mississippi River ecosystems by crowding out native fish, devastating some areas.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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