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

Related Stories The 32-year-old Boeing 767 jet overran the runway by roughly 1,300 feet, touching down awkwardly. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026 Farther south in San Clemente, high tides also overran a section of the long-vulnerable coastal railway, once again shutting the route after considerable slope damage and erosion. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 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

Russia was also holding the vote in the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow claimed after the war began but still does not fully control, and in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that Russia invaded in 2014.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
It's meant to starve Russian President Vladimir Putin of the resources Moscow needs to continue its war in Ukraine after invading its neighbor more than four years ago.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of invade

Verb

The leaders of America’s largest transit systems say there are common problems that plague them all, including riders who do not pay their fare on trains and buses, cybersecurity threats and a need to modernize systems.

— Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 16 Sep. 2026
For Guhle, this is yet another physical setback among many that have plagued the 24-year-old’s NHL career.

— Arpon Basu, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of plague

Adjective

The area’s forests, shrublands, and grassy foothills were perilously overgrown.

— Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
The resident also told the news station that others in her neighborhood have asked city leaders to clear the overgrown grass in the vacant lot, but nothing has been done.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of overgrown

Verb

Still, the family was shocked when their home was raided by Homeland Security Investigations and LAPD in August 2023.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
After a nearly seven-week manhunt, police raided the Kohberger family home in eastern Pennsylvania, where Kohberger was visiting during holiday break, and arrested him in late December 2022.

— Kevin Fixler September 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of raid

Verb

The 5-foot-5 sophomore defensive specialist has become an invaluable player for the Wildcats (21-0, 2-0), who are trying to win their second straight North Suburban Conference title and surpass their 2025 Class 4A supersectional appearance.

— Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Lake Mary’s freshman quarterback Max Campbell surpassed 200 yards passing with a 41-yard throw to Kel Gainer.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of surpass

Verb

For bare soil or areas heavily infested with persistent weeds, apply a 2- to 3-inch-thick layer of organic mulch directly over the bare soil.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
The man takes on work as a trauma cleaner in hopes of facing his past, but the job soon begins to infest and unravel his mental state.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of infest

Adjective

The goats ate their way through verdant grasses, woody shrubs, and invasive weeds such as Italian thistle and foxtail barley, entertaining their hosts all the while.

— Ingfei Chen, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026
Among them is Dugi Otok, said Mark Palmer in The Times – a verdant, 26-mile-long sliver of limestone that lies an easy ferry ride from the fascinating harbour town of Zadar.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of verdant

Browse Nearby Words

overruling

overrun

overrunning

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of overrun

verb

adjective

Example Sentences

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