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
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
In it, a Native Hawaiian family struggles to reclaim the ancestral lands that colonization, tourism, and rampant development threaten to overrun.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
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
Verb
Since last year, when the RSF overran parts of Darfur and Kordofan, the militia has commandeered the gum trade, integrating it into its smuggling empire and further starving government coffers.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
In it, a Native Hawaiian family struggles to reclaim the ancestral lands that colonization, tourism, and rampant development threaten to overrun.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 29 May 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
-
June 6 is also the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, when Allied troops invaded Normandy, France, turning the tide of the war in Europe.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
-
Chalamet, Jenner and Stiller invaded Rocket Arena to support the Knicks for Game 4, with Chalamet hugging guard Jalen Brunson after New York completed the sweep.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Those bags must not exceed 12 inches x 6 inches x 12 inches (30 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm).—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
-
Authorities said a trooper was patrolling northbound when a Honda Civic passed the patrol vehicle at speeds exceeding 90 mph.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The 31-year-old Andujar has been plagued by various injuries throughout an MLB career that began in 2018.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
-
Featuring guest star Liza Minnelli as a film noir-style actress whose show is being plagued by a series of murders and Kermit as a Bogart-like ’40s gumshoe, this episode won a special Raven Award from The Mystery Writers of America.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
The master lawsuit also targets a slew of defendants who have been blamed for overgrown brush, toppled wooden power poles, natural gas explosions and a lack of water, all contributing to the mammoth blaze.—
Tony Saavedra,
Daily News,
10 June 2026
-
The Department will have overgrown vegetation within the ROW cleared and all the signage will be updated as weather and resources permit.—
Erika Stanish,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Growing up in the east London suburbs, Scott would sing in her local church choir in the afternoons, then raid her dad’s Windows Media Player playlists to discover Janet Jackson and Kate Bush in the evenings.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
13 June 2026
-
Rather than raiding my bar cart, this recipe gets a boost by way of a couple items normally found on the breakfast menu.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Seven decades later that number has climbed to seventy-three, while those in the richest nations have surpassed an average of over fourscore years, a number the Bible reserves for only the most vigorous among us.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
In the meantime, there is a World Cup to win and Os Magricos to surpass.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Health officials in Berkeley said one person died and another person was hospitalized after contracting leptospirosis from rats that had infested their RV.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
The goat was newly confirmed as the latest case to be infested with New World screwworm, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in a press conference Monday.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
At this point, nearly every New York creative has considered a move to Mexico City, with its verdant parks, walkable neighborhoods, ever-evolving food scene, and artistic treasure trove of galleries and museums.—
Hannah Towey,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
These verdant noodles are the ideal side dish to perk up any summer meal.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
