1
as in to subdue
to bring under one's control by force of arms
the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
overpowered by fear of the unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 overpower
Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Even though Dune has an exclusive three-week run in Imax screens, some top studio executives and distribution chiefs believe Dune may move so as to not risk being overpowered by Avengers on opening weekend.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
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
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
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026
Using a stronger cheese like Roquefort in place of a milder option, such as Gorgonzola Dolce, may require reducing the amount to avoid overpowering the dish.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Verb
On Thursday, the president revived his campaign for senators to end the filibuster as a way to overpower opposition to GOP policies, something most Republican senators do not want to do.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Even though Dune has an exclusive three-week run in Imax screens, some top studio executives and distribution chiefs believe Dune may move so as to not risk being overpowered by Avengers on opening weekend.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
Adjective
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
To prevent it from overpowering your garden, consider planting lemon balm in pots near your blueberries.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2026
Using a stronger cheese like Roquefort in place of a milder option, such as Gorgonzola Dolce, may require reducing the amount to avoid overpowering the dish.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overpower
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpower
Noun
-
No double-digit lead is safe because anyone can go on a dominating run, as Michigan and UConn both did on Sunday.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
-
After spending last season dominating in South Korea and the three prior seasons in Japan, Ponce earned his way back to Major League Baseball this offseason with the defending American League champions, who gave him a $30 million contract over the next three years.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Our selection of irresistible snackable foods includes mini mac and cheese cups, sticky buns, jumbo popovers, and more.—
Victoria Spencer,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
-
By the time Turner gave his paper in Chicago in 1893, the myth of the frontier already had an irresistible pull in American culture, a simple rhetorical trajectory that made white men and women feel proud of themselves and their past.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For Israel, which had to vacate its Sinai conquest in 1956, there are parallels, too.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Its latest chart conquest comes after the group — Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — completed mandatory military service.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In its final form, though, the change — 8 to 10 feet closer in the corners with the gaps tapering toward a still 410-foot centerfield — certainly doesn’t appear overwhelming.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In improving to 35-3, South Carolina’s 6-foot-3 All-American Joyce Edwards scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds, nine on the offensive glass in overwhelming TCU.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Since dark energy rose to domination, however, the opposite is true.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Us senior surfers need to stick together to hold off the hordes of nasty agro kidbots that are violently intent on world domination and the spread of nuclear surf rabies and mad Red Bull disease.—
Corky Carroll,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Resort manager Puspa, born in a small village on the east of Bali, can tell you everything there is to know about the local traditions, while farm manager Wayan’s passion for sustainable agriculture is infectious.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That said, whole-virus vaccines can cause more unpleasant side effects, and in rare cases, weakened live pathogens can redevelop infectious capability.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overpower.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpower. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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