overrun 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈrən How to pronounce overrun (audio)
Definition of overrunnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to exceed
to go beyond the limit of he must not overrun his authority as governor

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
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

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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
Five people were killed when the Boeing 767, operated by all-cargo carrier 21Air, overran the runway at Miami International Airport on September 6, striking multiple vehicles, catching fire and sending a thick black plume of smoke into the air. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Otherwise, the defence failed to defend, the midfield got overrun and the attack was so insipid that Wrexham managed just one shot on target — George Dobson’s 35th-minute effort that Konstantinos Mavropanos blocked just in front of the goal line. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 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
  1. invade
  2. exceed
  3. plague
  4. overgrown
  5. raid
  6. surpass
  7. infest
  8. verdant
Verb
  • Before this year, the largest drawdown on record was the 180 million-barrel emergency sale in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.
    — Heather Occhino, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Ceasefires between Russia and Ukraine have been consistently difficult to hold since Russia invaded its neighbor in 2022.
    — Garrett Downs, CNBC, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of invade
Verb
  • Demand for workers in the travel and tourism sector is projected to exceed supply by more than 43 million people by 2035, according to research by the World Economic Forum.
    — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • South Korean tech giant Samsung posted a third-quarter preliminary operating profit that exceeded 100 trillion won for the first time in its history, while Lululemon poached Athleta CEO Maggie Gauger.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of exceed
Verb
  • As people suffer the effects of disease, the vampire rises to plague our nightmares.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Based on its survey work, Morgan Stanley believes the issues that plagued the second quarter was macro related and not something structurally tied to the TJX brand.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of plague
Adjective
  • Huddleston’s company has been busy removing hazardous diseased trees near homes and access roads and thinning overgrown stands.
    — Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Over the course of an hour and a half, team members made their way to the victims and used machetes and chainsaws to clear the overgrown trails.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of overgrown
Verb
  • The Pussycat on Biscayne Boulevard near 79th Street in Miami was raided by police 18 times between 1978 and 1987.
    — David Goodhue October 9, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On Thursday, October 8, a judge ruled that the search warrants the Thames Valley Police used to raid Andrew’s homes were unlawful.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of raid
Verb
  • For Tom Ford, which just surpassed that significant $1 billion milestone, Hertzmark Hudis highlighted how the company has successfully continued its legacy after the designer stepped away.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Muse has surpassed 5 million downloads, with more than 3 million weekly active users.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of surpass
Verb
  • Students have drawn attention to rundown classrooms that lack basics such as desks and chairs, become sweltering in summer without air conditioning and, in some cases, are infested with rats.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Jurors heard testimony from three of Alsheikh’s victims who said they were packed into small, filthy, cold, wet cells that were infested with insects and other vermin.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of infest
Adjective
  • The drive winds through the verdant mountains of eastern Antioquia before descending into the Aburrá Valley, where Medellín stretches across the valley floor and surrounding hillsides.
    — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The hotel itself is perched on the edge of the mountainous Arashiyama forest, a verdant expanse with a profound, serene quiet that seems to wrap around the entire property.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of verdant

Browse Nearby Words

overruling
overrun
overrunning
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Cite this Entry

“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on overrun

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about overrun

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