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
Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
In the fifth, Byron Buxton hit a double and was tagged out after overrunning the base.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Get the normally overrun streets of Venice all to yourself by visiting in the spring or fall.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Verb
The public guard was summoned but quickly overrun.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
In the fifth, Byron Buxton hit a double and was tagged out after overrunning the base.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Amorim’s side were completely overrun, and lucky to only lose 2-0.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Get the normally overrun streets of Venice all to yourself by visiting in the spring or fall.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrun
Verb
-
Israel then launched a new offensive against Hezbollah, and invaded much of southern Lebanon.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Now the ultimate challenge is here, and the stakes couldn't be higher because if the fighters from Earth aren't victorious, Outworld overlord Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford) will invade and take over the planet.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His few lines of dialogue have a power that far exceeds their word count, but what speaks for Jeremy most of the time are his physical gestures, which blend blank detachment with willful ferocity.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Environmental and health experts warn contamination in some regions already exceeds safety standards, posing long-term risks.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the Cubs’ offensive woes plagued them more than a misthrow from their reliever.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
By the same token, one of the biggest bugs plaguing AMC’s The Audacity may be the timing.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Trim overgrown shrubs and hedges.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Winter can leave lawns patchy, beds overgrown and mulch looking thin.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The company had its offices raided and several bank accounts frozen, according to Malaysian business publication The Edge.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Separately, police in Moscow raided the offices of the prominent independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, whose chief editor Dmitry Muratov was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2021.—
Dasha Litvinova,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
He's commuted for nearly four years, but recently the spikes of gas have increased, surpassing his monthly budget.—
Kara St. Cyr,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The project was such a big hit that the Russos and Hargrave had to bring its main character back from the dead (Hemsworth’s Rake seemed to have died at the end of the first film) for the second installment, which surpassed the streaming numbers of the first pic.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Deadline also understands that the production required a location change after crew pushed back on the use of a space that was infested with black mold.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Anyone who believes they may be infested with screwworm should contact their health provider.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps your backyard is verdant but not pristine, with spots of flowering weeds.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Wade tries to keep up his spirits as his legal case drags on, something that is made a little easier by the deep blue skies and verdant mountains that surround his new home in Saint Mary Parish not far from the Caribbean Sea.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
