1
as in invades
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 exceeds
to go beyond the limit of
he must not overrun his authority as governor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in plagues
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 overruns
After Jamie Gittens overruns the ball, Jorrel Hato picks up the pieces and reworks the move out wide to Cole Palmer.
—
Mark Carey, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Mark Carey, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overruns
Verb
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The video shows the religious leader begging the Lebanese Army not to withdraw from southern Lebanon, as Israel invades.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
5 Apr. 2026
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Acute myeloid leukemia begins in the bone marrow and typically invades the bloodstream thereafter, according to the American Cancer Society.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Currently, no strength category exceeds a 37% chance of occurrence through the end of the year.—
Dan Peck,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
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In general, though, the maximum amount that can be garnished for consumer debt is 25% of your disposable earnings, or the amount by which your weekly income exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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And as a fight over the reauthorization of a key national security surveillance law plagues the lower chamber, moving forward with the DHS funding hasn't appeared to be a top priority.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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The reclined riding position spreads body weight evenly, eliminating the back, neck, and wrist strain that plagues conventional cycling.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 20,
New Atlas,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That figure has dwindled to around 3 percent as fewer candidates avail themselves of the money and Congress raids the fund for other things.—
Adam Lashinsky,
Washington Post,
12 Apr. 2026
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Some owls will hunt the wildlife that raids our garbage cans, like skunks and opossums.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With a cast drawn from comedy-scene friends such as Kate Berlant and Conner O’Malley all tuned into a very specific wavelength, the movie somehow surpasses conventional notions of camp and irony to exist in a genuinely unique space all its own.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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Criminologists point out that society can create a narrative — whether based on reality or an exaggeration of it — that dominates culture and surpasses the motives of one person.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
Verb
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These parasites and their eggs contaminate soil, which then infests drinking water and food, especially in areas with poor sanitation.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Greenhouses provide protection from scourges like tomato blight, which ravages otherwise beautiful crops in areas with cool, rainy weather.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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Over time, toxins accumulate, and the genetic disorder ravages children’s organs, including their heart — and in many cases, their brain, leading to dementia-like symptoms.—
Elizabeth Chuck,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This is the monthly observing window — when moonlight no longer overwhelms the fainter stars and the sky begins to reveal itself again.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
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Excess sugar overwhelms the kidneys, which flush it — along with hydrating fluids — out through urine, leaving people dehydrated and trapped in a cycle of thirst.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overruns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overruns. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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