overpowers

verb

present tense third-person singular of overpower
1
as in dominates
to bring under one's control by force of arms the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overwhelms
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress overpowered by fear of the unknown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overpowers Community overpowers grief at 9/11 ceremony Before the hour-long ceremony, dozens of people gathered Downtown to mingle with visiting New York City firefighters and take photos of the beam. — Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2026 Jean overpowers their restraints and creates a gigantic psychic bubble that freezes in place nearly everyone in New York City. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026 Natalie reaches for a knife in the kitchen before Max overpowers her. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026 Kara ultimately overpowers Krem and secures the antidote in time to save Krypto, but the emotional climax belongs to Ruthye. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Go for a subtle scent that catches in the breeze rather than overpowers the senses. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 May 2026 However, the unique culture of our city often overpowers these inhibitions, and the sight of NYPD officers patrolling as modern-day knights on horseback is a reassuring testament to that strength. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026 That’s because the Athletics are scheduled to start Luis Severino, who overpowers righties. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 At 6-4, Kone is a bouncy wing who overpowers defenders with brute strength and agile footwork. — Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowers
  1. dominates
  2. overwhelms
  3. subdues
  4. overcomes
  5. conquers
  6. devastates
  7. subjects
  8. defeats
Verb
  • Walter dominates the second half of the play, which is this rendition runs over 2 1/2 hours including an intermission.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Determined and relentless, Hester, as incarnated by Johansson, dominates the action and steals the film with a decisive form of passive aggression—one that Gray condenses into a breathtakingly rapid, boldly symbolic special effect.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of dominates
Verb
  • The controversy highlights a growing concern in academia about whether some researchers could rely too heavily on AI to churn out a wave of papers that overwhelms journals charged with vetting the work.
    — TODD WALLACK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Eventually, allegory overwhelms dramaturgy, with a group of soccer hooligans—emblems of the volatility of men under threat—playing a pivotal role in Leo’s end.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of overwhelms
Verb
  • In person, Huang subdues his ironic braggadocio with polite eye contact and rolling belly laughs at his own jokes.
    — Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • El Nino also subdues the hurricane season in the Atlantic because there is so much heat in the Pacific that outcompetes the Atlantic, Berardelli added.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of subdues
Verb
  • This process allows for precise positioning of cells and the generation of custom three-dimensional structures and also overcomes challenges with random cellular self-organization.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Paired with a convincing lead turn by Best, as well as moving work from Gourrier and especially Joseph, the earnest series overcomes its stock biopic structure to linger with viewers in a manner more pleasing than disbelieving.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of overcomes
Verb
  • Seize the day; love conquers all; there’s no place like home.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • As technology conquers this final Wi-Fi frontier, air travel will never be the same.
    — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of conquers
Verb
  • As climate chaos causes oceans to swallow coastlands, and as surging water displaces and devastates communities, social survival will demand that people find ways to live and work with – and on – the water.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The urban planner and former professor also knows what happens next after a powerful earthquake devastates whole communities.
    — Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastates
Verb
  • Having started to doubt the nature of the relationship between Holmes and Evans, Fielder subjects it to extraordinary scrutiny, at which point the tables turn.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In a finding absent from the 2025 chapter, the State Department cites an outside report saying the Cuban government subjects some political prisoners to unlawful prison labor.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of subjects
Verb
  • If The Colony defeats Lovejoy by 12 or more points then The Colony will be the second seed, Lovejoy (38-35 win over CH) the third seed and Colleyville Heritage the fourth seed.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Veteran Democrat of anti-Trump state easily defeats Republican Steve Hilton.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of defeats

Browse Nearby Words

overpowering
overpowers
overpraise
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Cite this Entry

“Overpowers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowers. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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