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
Instead, the plane skidded on its belly, overran the runway and hit a concrete wall experts said should never have been there.
—
James Glanz, New York Times, 1 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
James Glanz, New York Times, 1 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
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Perhaps not coincidentally, Russia invaded the former Soviet republic of Georgia later that year.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
-
Some have questioned whether the Biennale really is a nonpartisan exhibition, pointing to the show’s history of making political statements, including in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Shamsid-Deen initially sought to impose a 90-day jail term, but prosecutor Jonah Karls informed him that the sentence exceeded his legal authority, something the judge appeared unaware of.—
Brian Maass,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
-
Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia broke records set in 1896, and exceeded their 20th century average April temperatures by as much as eight degrees.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Among those lost were four maples and about 20 ash trees infested with emerald ash borers, said David Dammon, vice president of MVCC’s Administrative Services.—
Susan DeGrane,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Back in December, agents also seized four pounds of non-human primate meat, along with 11 pounds of beans infested by pests, and 17 pounds of an unknown plant from a passenger from Congo.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The action came three months after French law enforcement authorities raided X’s Paris office and summoned Musk for questioning.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 May 2026
-
The Upper East Side townhouse had been raided by the FBI two years earlier.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The film surpassed $400 million at the global box office, and a sequel that is based on the author’s follow-up book The Housemaid’s Secret is set for release in 2027.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
7 May 2026
-
Addie Hajj surpassed 100 career goals, helping to fuel North Reading during a 17-8 Cape Ann League victory over Essex Tech.—
Tyler McManus,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
Verb
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The Pistons also were plagued by turnovers (20 that led to 25 Cavaliers points) and fouling (Cleveland attempted 22 more free throws).—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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The new facility replaced the detention center at 1300 Cherry Street, which is more than four decades old and had fallen into partial disrepair and had long been plagued by unsafe overcrowding and allegations of abuse and mismanagement.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The feeling overwhelmed him even as his jaw ached and his throat compressed in the second quarter of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 114-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Sunday.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Building a Chaos Innovation Muscle Most organizations are overwhelmed by cultural chaos.—
Sarah DaVanzo,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overran. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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