1
as in invading
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
as in exceeding
to go beyond the limit of
he must not overrun his authority as governor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in infesting
to spread or swarm over in a troublesome manner
ants are overrunning the garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overrunning
Homeless people overrunning the city.
—
Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The most basic natural method for keeping weeds from overrunning your pavers is manual removal.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
Gardening apps can drain a phone battery lightning-fast, like aphids overrunning your tomatoes.
—Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Then in 2021, the federal government, which manages polar bears, halted boat tours, mostly over concerns about how tourists were affecting bear behavior and overrunning the town.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
In the fifth, Byron Buxton hit a double and was tagged out after overrunning the base.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
His issues overrunning plays feel like ages ago.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Russian forces seized the nuclear plant and its surrounding area in the early days of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, overrunning the plant in February 2022 and holding staff hostage.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
But using smaller rocks will not secure river banks from overrunning, said attorney Devon Lehman McCune during a hearing earlier this month in downtown federal court.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
The most basic natural method for keeping weeds from overrunning your pavers is manual removal.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 16 May 2026
Gardening apps can drain a phone battery lightning-fast, like aphids overrunning your tomatoes.
—Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Then in 2021, the federal government, which manages polar bears, halted boat tours, mostly over concerns about how tourists were affecting bear behavior and overrunning the town.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
In the fifth, Byron Buxton hit a double and was tagged out after overrunning the base.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
His issues overrunning plays feel like ages ago.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Russian forces seized the nuclear plant and its surrounding area in the early days of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, overrunning the plant in February 2022 and holding staff hostage.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
But using smaller rocks will not secure river banks from overrunning, said attorney Devon Lehman McCune during a hearing earlier this month in downtown federal court.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrunning
Verb
-
There were no smartphones documenting every moment, no social media outrage cycles and no political tribalism invading every corner of daily life.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 June 2026
-
Nothing but smoke and fires roaming freely, invading even our graves.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
The drone boat has supposedly survived a range of sea states that included waves exceeding five feet in height.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
-
Kansas City has gotten off to one of its wettest starts on record, with April and May driving the total and far exceeding normal precipitation for those two months.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
To prevent the New World Screwworm from infesting Florida, the state is blocking rescue dogs and cats coming from Texas and New Mexico.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
The moths infesting a pantry are not the same as moths hiding in your closet.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The former tomb-raiding Angelina Jolie also happens to be a Gemini, which Wilton Regan says is compatible with her own air sign.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
-
Even rural birds manage to find some human items, most likely by raiding farm bins or garages.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Freeland, 33, had just pitched 1,313 1/3 major league innings, all in a Rockies uniform, surpassing Aaron Cook (1,312 1/3) for the franchise record.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
-
Since then, the number of visitors to Huangshan — known as the most marvelous mountain in China — has only grown, surpassing 5 million for the first time last year.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Overall, the vibes at SGF 2026 were markedly up compared to those from last year and 2024, when layoffs plaguing the industry and multiple game cancellations and releases were the main topics of conversation.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
Mass tourism, rising sea levels, and scorching temperatures have been plaguing the unique Italian city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Wrigley Field West, aka Coors Field, was crawling with Cubs fans on Tuesday night.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
-
He was found on Thursday morning, crawling towards Base Camp, and airlifted to Kathmandu, where doctors are treating him for frostbite, severe dehydration and a fractured thigh bone.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overrunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrunning. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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