1
as in invaded
to enter for conquest or plunder
waves of barbarians overran the Roman Empire during its long decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Before Monday’s deadly crash, the most recent incident involving a B-52 occurred in 2016 in Guam, after the plane overran the runway.
—
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández overran the ricochet.
—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Jung Hoo Lee, who’s still learning Oracle Park’s right field, overran Paul Goldschmidt’s base hit down the right-field line that caromed off the short, angled side wall in foul territory, allowing a single to become a double.
—
Justice Delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
But Nazi forces soon overran much of the continent, and by the end of World War II, at least 254 of the ship’s passengers had died in the Holocaust.
—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
The decision closed a flashpoint case that has bitterly divided Israel since the soldiers were arrested in 2024 at the notorious Sde Teiman military prison, prompting anger from members of the far-right government and hard-line ultranationalists who violently overran the prison in protest.
—
Julia Frankel The Associated Press,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
That happened shortly after a militia overran a military garrison near the Ethiopian border.
—
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
But word got out and large crowds of people overran the land and destroyed nearly everything Sutter had.
—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Sadat was forced to flee the Afghan capital with her family in 2021 after Taliban forces overran the city.
—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández overran the ricochet.
—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Jung Hoo Lee, who’s still learning Oracle Park’s right field, overran Paul Goldschmidt’s base hit down the right-field line that caromed off the short, angled side wall in foul territory, allowing a single to become a double.
—
Justice Delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
But Nazi forces soon overran much of the continent, and by the end of World War II, at least 254 of the ship’s passengers had died in the Holocaust.
—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
The decision closed a flashpoint case that has bitterly divided Israel since the soldiers were arrested in 2024 at the notorious Sde Teiman military prison, prompting anger from members of the far-right government and hard-line ultranationalists who violently overran the prison in protest.
—
Julia Frankel The Associated Press,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
That happened shortly after a militia overran a military garrison near the Ethiopian border.
—
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
But word got out and large crowds of people overran the land and destroyed nearly everything Sutter had.
—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
Sadat was forced to flee the Afghan capital with her family in 2021 after Taliban forces overran the city.
—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overran
Verb
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Hundreds were killed, and Israel invaded parts of Lebanon.
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Since Russia first invaded the country, drones have become a key part of Ukraine’s strategy, aiming at undermining the Russian army’s logistics operations.
Verb
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Even more frightening, the percentage exceeded 50% in many groups, including insects, terrestrial vertebrates, and marine species.
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By early 2023, the backlog exceeded a hundred thousand.
Verb
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When left unattended in a basement for a prolonged period, things are bound to acquire mold and mildew or become infested with unwelcome guests.
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Other animals that have been infested include sheep, goats and a dog.
Verb
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The headquarters of his governing Socialist party has been raided by police, and several close allies have been the target of investigations, including former Socialist Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and former right-hand man José Luis Ábalos.
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According to the Créteil prosecutor’s office, criminal investigators raided a home in the Paris suburb on June 15, expecting to find a cache of drugs.
Verb
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During Thursday's World Cup match at New York-New Jersey Stadium between Ecuador and Germany, the total tournament record was surpassed at 3,587,539 fans, FIFA said.
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The tournament’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams, which added games in the group stage, is most likely one reason the record was surpassed so quickly.
Verb
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Yet within weeks of Trump declaring the rehabilitation completed in time for Independence Day, the water was plagued by a vivid green algae bloom that clouded the pool’s coating.
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By the time of the shooting in November 1999, the 5-foot-11, 194-pound Carruth was again being plagued by injuries.
Verb
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In a world often overwhelmed by heartbreak and division, the story confirms that love has a way of continuing on.
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Knicks fans nearly overwhelmed it before the floats arrived.
Cite this Entry
“Overran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overran. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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