1
as in to overcome
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to engulf
to cover with a flood
that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwhelm
The scope of the catastrophe quickly overwhelmed a country of 28 million battered by years of economic crisis and political tumult.
—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Shami, overwhelmed with grief, was taken to the maternity ward to be monitored, with doctors worried about her and the baby.
—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
26 June 2026
Lightly water the soil with a spray bottle to not overwhelm the seeds.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
The mix runs almost dangerously hot, bruising kicks and red-lining riffs threatening to overwhelm the whole thing, and the sounds of revving engines at the beginning of most tracks underscore the sensation that we are gathered here today to burn rubber.
—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
Shami, overwhelmed with grief, was taken to the maternity ward to be monitored, with doctors worried about her and the baby.
—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
26 June 2026
Lightly water the soil with a spray bottle to not overwhelm the seeds.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
The mix runs almost dangerously hot, bruising kicks and red-lining riffs threatening to overwhelm the whole thing, and the sounds of revving engines at the beginning of most tracks underscore the sensation that we are gathered here today to burn rubber.
—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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Rather than be benched, Devers batted cleanup, overcame an 0-for-3 start, and singled up the middle in the seventh to score Bryce Eldridge, who narrowly beat a tag at the plate for a 3-1 lead.
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Its highly specialized strategy likely evolved to take advantage of the ant’s natural aggression and then overcome its defenses; the slingshot mechanism flings the ant from the foraging trail, reducing the risk that the spider will be swarmed by other workers, the researchers hypothesized.
Verb
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Westeros will be engulfed in flames as the Dance of the Dragons sweeps away knights riding their mighty creatures and entire armies.
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The sun itself will undergo this transformation in around 5 billion years, swelling out to around the orbit of Mars and engulfing the inner rocky planets, including Earth.
Verb
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For months, Uber and lawyers from across the state poured tens of millions into dueling ballot measures that threatened to devastate the profits of whichever side lost.
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The jury in the federal trial of the man accused of starting the deadly blaze that devastated the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles last year is deadlocked after two days of deliberations, the court said Thursday.
Verb
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Craciun urged folks to flood the committee and Petrie-Norris’ office with calls and letters demanding action.
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People flooded the comment section with offers to help.
Verb
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The system has long been mired in controversy, including exam paper leaks and technical failures, placing a crushing burden on students, and financial strain on families investing everything in their children for a promise that can often appear fragile.
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When sacred places are bombed, when clergy are silenced, when believers are tortured, when religious freedom is crushed, the aggressor attempts to extinguish the living conscience of a nation.
Verb
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As Vermax struggles to stay above water and begins to drown, Jace frees himself from his mount and reaches the surface.
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French media reported that four children drowned Saturday.
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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