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
Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Glade Plug-In Apple Cinnamon Refills, 5-Pack This fragrance is a little sweet, a little spicy, and 100 percent comforting — definitely not your typical overpowering air freshener.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
In its place was an overpowering smell of cigar smoke and a mass of humanity.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
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
Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
The smell of the dead mussels, even in the open air, was overpowering.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Yes, this still tastes like a very old bourbon, but the tannic oak flavors are soft and not overpowering.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
To properly balance the fragrance, opt for a smaller diffuser in smaller rooms to avoid overpowering the space.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Channeling some wild style with the leopard print, Stone, who often collaborates with stylist Petra Flannery, ensured the piece wasn’t overpowering, opting for a mini hemline and understated material that only served to complement and augment her refined attire.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
The urge to run is overpowering.
—Joe Baur, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
The subtle woven texture adds depth without overpowering your existing decor, and the removable insert makes cleaning and switching out styles simple.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Even at age 37 Chapman remained among the hardest throwers in baseball, hitting 103 mph on the radar gun while routinely overpowering opposing hitters.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Testers noted that the filling was strongly spiced which some liked, but was too overpowering for others and gave it an almost artificial taste that overwhelmed the crust.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Glade Plug-In Apple Cinnamon Refills, 5-Pack This fragrance is a little sweet, a little spicy, and 100 percent comforting — definitely not your typical overpowering air freshener.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
In its place was an overpowering smell of cigar smoke and a mass of humanity.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
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
Verb
Rum lends a subtle warmth without overpowering the coconut, and the mascarpone develops a rich, creamy base that melts in your mouth.
—Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
The smell of the dead mussels, even in the open air, was overpowering.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025
Yes, this still tastes like a very old bourbon, but the tannic oak flavors are soft and not overpowering.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2025
To properly balance the fragrance, opt for a smaller diffuser in smaller rooms to avoid overpowering the space.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025
Channeling some wild style with the leopard print, Stone, who often collaborates with stylist Petra Flannery, ensured the piece wasn’t overpowering, opting for a mini hemline and understated material that only served to complement and augment her refined attire.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025
The urge to run is overpowering.
—Joe Baur, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
The subtle woven texture adds depth without overpowering your existing decor, and the removable insert makes cleaning and switching out styles simple.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Even at age 37 Chapman remained among the hardest throwers in baseball, hitting 103 mph on the radar gun while routinely overpowering opposing hitters.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering
Noun
-
On a night when the Broncos offense sputtered and Rizzi’s special teams had several face-palm moments, Skinner’s block was the Broncos’ bailout, and the differentiator that underscored a dominating performance on defense.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And all signs point to Malinin’s dominating in Milan, much as fellow American Nathan Chen did at the 2022 Beijing Games (Chen left competitive skating after his gold).—
Nick Zaccardi,
NBC news,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Like the vast, uncaring jungle in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, the Tyranids are an irresistible force that seeks to surround and destroy humanity through the weight of pure biological necessity.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Known for their high-energy performances and irresistible grooves, April and the Funk Junkies have become a San Diego favorite, filling dance floors with their mix of funk, soul, pop, and rock classics.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 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
-
Victorinox furthers its minimalist focus by using the Alox Refined treatment on three light, simple tools that provide a baseline of utility without overwhelming one's pocket.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Elderly patients deserve products that soothe without overwhelming.—
Jahan Marcu,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the Caribbean, French admirals set their sights on the conquest of sugar islands like Jamaica—the diamonds in King George’s glittering imperial crown.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
His plays gleefully plumb the wickedest aspects of the human psyche, delivering tales of relentless conquest, Jewish perfidy, deals with the devil, and gay love.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And when was conquering ever a good thing?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
-
These terrorists are going about on a jihad and conquering territories and renaming them accordingly.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Last year’s devastating drought in the Amazon Basin was made 30 times more likely by climate change, according to a report from World Weather Attribution, a network of scientists that analyze extreme weather events.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Earlier this year, California’s devastating Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena, a diverse, creative community just north of Pasadena.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Everything bops breezily along, stopping occasionally to have Dek growl maxims about strength through domination, and observe a decapitation or two.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
-
By 1974, though, many women had already discarded those notions as instruments of domination, psychic equivalents of the whalebone corset.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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