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
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
The arrest of the soldiers prompted fury from hard-line ultranationalists who violently overran the prison in protest.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 12 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
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
The arrest of the soldiers prompted fury from hard-line ultranationalists who violently overran the prison in protest.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 12 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
-
That includes Moscow cutting off natural gas supplies to Europe in retaliation for sanctions the West imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
-
The pitch was invaded a few seconds after the final whistle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Maldives National Defence Force The dive far exceeded what was planned for a scientific cruise focused on coral sampling at standard depths, Stella added.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
The little rotorcraft far exceeded mission managers' expectations, completing a total of 72 flights over the course of nearly three years.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
On the set of Empire, Henson pleaded for a trailer that wasn’t infested with bugs.—
Zak Cheney-Rice,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
If the container held diseased plants, was infested with insects, or is full of mold, throw out the potting mix and replace it.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
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When an emergency meeting with Moulin’s deputies is raided by the Gestapo, though, the film takes on a different shape.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
-
Fish arcades are increasingly rare in Charlotte since the Supreme Court’s ruling shut many down, but police have raided locations operating illegally in recent years.—
Jeff A. Chamer
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The national debt has surpassed the GDP, Social Security and Medicare face looming financial crises, inflation is rising, families are struggling — and yet Congress does nothing.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
Austin skipped over San Jose for the 12th most populous spot, as Texas' capital city surpassed 1 million residents for the first time.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Her excuse was that the robbery was a sign that Preston was plagued by bad luck.—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
One video from the scene showed a police officer overwhelmed by the crowd, and using pepper spray to control the mob.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
That experience lead her to create Reale Actives, in hopes of making the treatment both aesthetically nicer than a lot of what's on the market, as well as simpler for those overwhelmed by all the treatment options.—
Beth Shapouri,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overran. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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