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

Ten years on, after devising the victorious Trojan Horse gambit, Ulysses attempts to return to Ithaca and the pining Penelope, whose palace has been overrun with scheming suitors seeking her hand. — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026 Located in the Dartmoor foothills, some 20 minutes from the bohemian market town of Totnes, it’s reached along a series of narrow farm tracks, past a set of imposing stone gates overrun by wildflowers and accompanied by a classic keeper’s cottage. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 15 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 39 days of the World Cup definitely had their moments of politics invading what was hoped to be a sporting sanctuary.

— Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
This is eroding Putin’s persistent attempts to guard the Russian population from the negative impact of invading Ukraine.

— Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Definition of invade

Verb

Entering Friday’s contest, Clark was supposed to be on a minutes restriction due to a back injury that has plagued her all season.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 18 July 2026
But controversies are plaguing the league, Clark has become an unwilling symbol of racial polarization and GOP members of Congress are entering the fray.

— Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 17 July 2026

Definition of plague

Adjective

The vacant lot in College Town looks a little overgrown but more lush than unkempt.

— Matt Baker, New York Times, 17 July 2026
The neighborhood refreshed 18 planters this spring, tearing out dead and overgrown plants and replacing them with more appropriate foliage based on the recommendations from resident horticulturists.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Definition of overgrown

Verb

Pride events are held today in San Diego to honor the Stonewall uprising of 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City and patrons fought back in a dayslong confrontation.

— Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
Bottoms was outspoken after the FBI raided a Fulton County election hub earlier this year in an area part of the greater Atlanta metro area.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 17 July 2026

Definition of raid

Verb

Even if Kylian Mbappe clinched the Golden Boot in the third-place play-off against England and surpassed him as the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, many of the other all-time records in this competition belong to Messi.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Despite those stumbles, domestic ticket sales are roughly 10% above 2025, according to Rentrak, and the summer season is expected to surpass $4 billion for the second time since the pandemic upended the industry.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 19 July 2026

Definition of surpass

Verb

The canal that flows between Fort Lauderdale resident Harry Rozelle’s house and his church is so infested with bacteria that his teenage son, Cruz, was hospitalized after swimming in it three years ago.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Good property maintenance and natural and safe methods can get rid of chiggers and prevent them from infesting your space.

— Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 22 July 2026

Definition of infest

Adjective

In this vast verdant hideaway, fresh cooling air and birdsong prove that privacy is present from dawn to dusk.

— Nielsen Dinwoodie, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
In Western Europe, a succession of heat domes in May, June and July turned verdant landscapes into tinderboxes, with deadly wildfires sweeping across Spain, France, the UK and other countries where wildfires were once considered rare.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of verdant

Browse Nearby Words

overruling

overrun

overrunning

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of overrun

verb

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on overrun

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

itinerant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes