1
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
2
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
Jim Desmond, Oc Register, 15 July 2025
As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
The stage was overrun by perhaps more honorees than had ever taken the Press Club’s stage simultaneously before when a Special Award for Stellar Coverage of the 2020 Wildfires was accepted by news directors for all of L.A.’s local TV stations.
—William Earl, Variety, 23 June 2025
When Covid-19 decimated the 2020 thru-hiking season, the worry was that potentially sick hikers could overrun a town like Hot Springs, where resources are low and hospitals are an hour away.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Adjective
He’s had seven years to secure our border — and instead, it’s been overrun.
—Jim Desmond, Oc Register, 15 July 2025
As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
The stage was overrun by perhaps more honorees than had ever taken the Press Club’s stage simultaneously before when a Special Award for Stellar Coverage of the 2020 Wildfires was accepted by news directors for all of L.A.’s local TV stations.
—William Earl, Variety, 23 June 2025
When Covid-19 decimated the 2020 thru-hiking season, the worry was that potentially sick hikers could overrun a town like Hot Springs, where resources are low and hospitals are an hour away.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrun
Verb
-
Russia has suffered about a million casualties in its attempt to invade.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
The men’s national team has been invaded by foreigners.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
The asylum process in Mexico is supposed to take about three months, said Mejía from UNHCR, but the number of cases exceeds the capacity of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid to process them.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
That number far exceeds any other program nationwide.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
While the venue gained significant popularity and an enviously cool reputation, it was also plagued by regulatory troubles in recent years.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Holden would become one of the most popular and in-demand stars of his era, but his personal life was plagued by alcoholism for the rest of his days.—
Scott Huver,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
And speaking of aphids and overgrown plants, any plants with aphids already lingering around can be a big problem for a possible invasion.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
26 July 2025
-
In the early 2000s, the Ramona Fire Department notified the then-tenant Touch From Above Ministries, which operated a thrift store there, that overgrown weeds on the property were considered a fire hazard and needed to be removed.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
In Oakland, a 35-year-old man was charged with possessing and manufacturing assault weapons, after police raided his home during an online fireworks investigation.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
-
But the agency discovered the scheme and found undocumented workers at the company’s site when officials raided it in 2018.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
The 515-mile flash surpassed the previous world record by 38 miles.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Rocket posted second-quarter results that surpassed expectations on the top and bottom lines.—
Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
My coleus leaves and stems are starting to be infested with mealybugs.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
-
If plants are infested, treat them before placing them near other houseplants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Editor’s tip: The property is set steps from the first section of the Bosque de Chapultepec, a verdant green space host to cobbled walkways perfect for running and the Castilo de Chapultepec, a historic hilltop castle that’s now the National Museum of History.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
13 July 2025
-
Finally, the third gallery room attempts to project a cooler, more verdant future with walls colored a serene green hue.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share