1
as in invaded
to enter for conquest or plunder
waves of barbarians overran the Roman Empire during its long decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exceeded
to go beyond the limit of
he must not overrun his authority as governor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in infested
to spread or swarm over in a troublesome manner
ants are overrunning the garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overran
The situation in el-Fasher was dire even before the RSF overran it this week.
—
NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
The Jays’ leadoff hitter also reached safely against Yamamoto in the following two innings, first on an infield popup with a 100 percent catch probability that Freddie Freeman overran, then when Yamamoto drilled George Springer on the wrist.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
The Mexican Army attacked and overran the Texas defenses.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
In 1669, lava from one of Etna's largest eruptions overran the western suburbs of Catania.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
In 1741, his forces overran Tabarka, enslaving many residents and sending shockwaves throughout the western Mediterranean.
—Miquel Ros, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Although the city had previously cleared Columbus Park, RVs and encampments returned and overran the public space.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
The injury occurred on a foul pop out in which Goldschmidt overran the ball and had to recover to make the catch.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
The Jays’ leadoff hitter also reached safely against Yamamoto in the following two innings, first on an infield popup with a 100 percent catch probability that Freddie Freeman overran, then when Yamamoto drilled George Springer on the wrist.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
The Mexican Army attacked and overran the Texas defenses.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
In 1669, lava from one of Etna's largest eruptions overran the western suburbs of Catania.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025
In 1741, his forces overran Tabarka, enslaving many residents and sending shockwaves throughout the western Mediterranean.
—Miquel Ros, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Although the city had previously cleared Columbus Park, RVs and encampments returned and overran the public space.
—Devan Patel, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
The injury occurred on a foul pop out in which Goldschmidt overran the ball and had to recover to make the catch.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overran
Verb
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Indonesia invaded Timor-Leste just a week after Portugal withdrew, leading to almost a quarter-century of occupation marked by severe human rights abuses.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Putin invaded a sovereign nation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Building on that winning foundation, the 458 Speciale, built from 2013 to 2015, exceeded the limits of any other Ferrari V-8 of the period.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Senior design editor Zoë Sessums states that the Woolroom pillow exceeded her expectations, both in the sleep feel and the production process’s transparency.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Discard anything that is damaged or obviously infested, tying it in a plastic bag and throwing it away.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The whole property was infested with rats.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Authorities had raided a San Francisco home connected to Chee days after the blast.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Thieves raided the Apollo Gallery on the Louvre’s upper floor last weekend, which houses the French Crown Jewels.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Earlier in 2025, Suni Williams surpassed Whitson's record for the most total time any woman has spent on spacewalks.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Just days after long time tech darling surpassed $4 trillion in market cap, Apple delivered an earnings report that beat on both the top and bottom.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There was a real question how the impact of him being on base nine times and the accompanying leg cramps that plagued him late in extra innings would affect his stamina less than 24 hours later.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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The park process, by contrast, has been plagued with high costs, lawsuits and scandals including three critical grand jury reports.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After giving birth to him, she’s overwhelmed by irreconcilably conflicting emotions—Javed is at once her own flesh, and an embodiment of his father’s actions.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Over the past few days, the mother of three was overwhelmed by the number of comments on her original post.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overran. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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