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
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
Most tasters appreciated that this spread had a nice taste and was not too sweet or overpowering.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
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
Rather than overpowering them with brute force, German forces managed to defeat the French and British forces in the Battle of France (1940) by simply outmaneuvering them.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
The sunny West Elm sideboard and Ligne Roset chair enliven an otherwise neutral room without overpowering the space.
—Laura Fenton, Midwest Living, 16 May 2026
Dysbiosis happens when harmful bacteria start overpowering beneficial bacteria.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Players such as Phil Mickelson had been attempting the strategy for years, but DeChambeau proved that overpowering the test could lead to more trophies.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 12 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
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
Most tasters appreciated that this spread had a nice taste and was not too sweet or overpowering.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Rather than overpowering them with brute force, German forces managed to defeat the French and British forces in the Battle of France (1940) by simply outmaneuvering them.
—Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 20 May 2026
The sunny West Elm sideboard and Ligne Roset chair enliven an otherwise neutral room without overpowering the space.
—Laura Fenton, Midwest Living, 16 May 2026
Dysbiosis happens when harmful bacteria start overpowering beneficial bacteria.
—Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Players such as Phil Mickelson had been attempting the strategy for years, but DeChambeau proved that overpowering the test could lead to more trophies.
—Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering
Noun
-
Gore scattered two more hits en route to his fourth win of the year — and second dominating performance against the Royals.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
-
The recent run of success has been led by a dominating pitching staff, especially the bullpen, with an erratic offense only starting to come alive of late.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
27 May 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
-
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
-
Trump thought the Secret Service did an excellent job subduing the gunman but the White House is reviewing security for major events for the country's 250th anniversary.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Plant your foot and the car gently feeds in torque rather than overwhelming the front tyres.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
The trend offers a bold yet intentional way to transform a space without overwhelming it.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
According to Alessandro Usielli, head of Ford global brand entertainment, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Ford have all worked with the Bond franchise to introduce new models by providing cars for the superspy, his coterie of comely conquests and his villainous adversaries.—
Brett Berk,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
-
Kilkenny Castle Originally built in the 12th century, soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, Kilkenny Castle is located on the banks of the River Nore in County Kilkenny.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Cobra Commander is primarily focused on conquering planet earth, not giving power lunch recommendations, as The Hollywood Reporter tried to get out of him in a voice chat.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2026
-
Perfect for conquering your next trail, the Speedgoat 6 is made with aggressive lugs that deliver a ton of traction and stability—they’re actually inspired by the hoof of a goat.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 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
Noun
-
One such set lies in the city’s Flavelle, Port Moody location, where a sprawling makeshift village depicts different boroughs of Ba Sing Se, the next target in Fire Lord Ozai’s mission for global domination.—
Entertainment Weekly,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
-
But neither franchise domination, AI nor streaming make Spielberg fret for the future of movies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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