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
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
The situation in el-Fasher was dire even before the RSF overran it this week.
—NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
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
The situation in el-Fasher was dire even before the RSF overran it this week.
—NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overran
Verb
-
This would have come as news to the Highland Scots who invaded England in 1745 or the Irish Whiteboys who terrorized landlords and tax collectors a few decades later.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The European Political Community summit was founded in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Hagan’s memo identified money that exceeded the tax’s projections, reallocated sports complex dollars or unallocated tax funds as potentially viable for the Rays.—
Nicolas Villamil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
The discoveries have exceeded expectations, and archaeologists believe additional caves will be uncovered.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
3 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
-
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 five autism service centers raided by federal law enforcement on Tuesday as part of an apparent series of fraud investigations all utilize money from the same state program that two other providers have already pleaded guilty to stealing from.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
Both restaurants, which were allegedly used in gambling operations, were raided by the FBI Wednesday.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
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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In a powerful and disquieting GQ profile, the band and some immediate friends and family unraveled the struggles that have plagued their lucrative but life-altering reunion, a kind of cautionary tale for leveling up after settling down.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
-
Several Republicans running for governor have sought to tie Klobuchar to Walz, arguing Democrats as a whole are to blame for the fraud that’s plagued Minnesota’s social services.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Automakers around the globe and their employees fear being overwhelmed by BYD’s prolific industrial capacity and competitive pricing.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
Fox and Keldon Johnson, overwhelmed with emotion.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overran.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overran. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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