OVERRUN Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

overrun 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈrən

Definition of overrun

as in to invade

to enter for conquest or plunder waves of barbarians overran the Roman Empire during its long decline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to exceed

to go beyond the limit of he must not overrun his authority as governor

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to plague

to spread or swarm over in a troublesome manner ants are overrunning the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

overrun

2 of 2

adjective

as in overgrown

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overrun

Verb

Theirs was a working-class community, nestled just a few blocks west of the presidential palace, that in recent years has been overrun by gangs and subjected to extreme and indiscriminate violence. — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Thanks largely to the abyss of actual football to discuss, the last two weeks have been overrun by the ongoing rhetoric between the SEC and Big Ten. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Adjective

In towns such as Maienfeld, the influx of mass tourism gives the impression that even remote valleys have become overrun. — Jessi Jezewska Stevens, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 Amorim’s side were completely overrun, and lucky to only lose 2-0. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overrun

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrun

Verb

The greybeards will take on the suicide mission of storming the castle walls, erecting ladders, and invading the city while arrows and rocks rain down on them.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Frantic skirmishes between the family and the beast take place as the house floods, and eventually the invading creature is tangled up in a trap.

— William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of invade

Verb

Liverpool will be guaranteed to play at least 48 times this season, and the expectation will be to comfortably exceed 50 matches.

— Andy Jones, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Soil samples from the two elementary school campuses, City Terrace and Christopher Dena, exceeded the applicable regulatory screening levels of lead, which were flagged for further evaluation.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of exceed

Verb

What did Widow’s Bay creator and showrunner Katie Dippold see in Matthew Rhys as Tom Loftis, mayor of the New England island town plagued by a historic curse?

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
South Africa is plagued by violence, but extensive research has found that white South African farmers are not victims of crime at higher rates than other groups.

— Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of plague

Adjective

Additionally, the grass on both properties is overgrown with weeds taller than her car.

— Liz Crawford, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
The cemetery is wooded and so overgrown that Harper is hiring a crew to clear it out enough for volunteers to get in to work on cleaning it up so the dead can be given their due respect.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of overgrown

Verb

Members of the Montreal City Police Department found the weapon, a Glock 26, on August 30, 2024, when officers raided a home in relation to a kidnapping investigation, court records show.

— Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
In September of 2022, Spanish police arrested an Irishman suspected of laundering money for the Kinahan organization after raiding a property in Malaga on the Costa del Sol.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of raid

Verb

With the first movie becoming Blumhouse’s biggest opening ever in 2023, despite a theatrical day-and-date on Peacock, followed by last year’s sequel breaking multiple box office records, the franchise has surpassed $530M globally.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
Solar generation surged again in 2025 and, for the first time, surpassed wind as a source of global electricity.

— Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of surpass

Verb

Native to southeast Asia, the beetle has infested every continent bar Antarctica, according to a study published in the Journal of Pest Science in June, stowing away in wood products, live plants and packaging materials.

— Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Authorities are investigating after human remains at a Chicago funeral home were allegedly found decaying in an unrefrigerated area infested with rodents.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of infest

Adjective

Don’t miss Pateo, a verdant oasis with a heated swimming pool and lounge furniture.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026
Amid photos of the verdant hotel grounds on Instagram, Millerd also shared a glimpse at a few other pieces from Spencer’s travel wardrobe.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 30 July 2026

Definition of verdant

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overruling

overrun

overrunning

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Style

“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of overrun

verb

adjective

Example Sentences

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