overwhelm

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)welm How to pronounce overwhelm (audio)
Definition of overwhelmnext
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

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 overwhelm Reflecting on her journey, Jones told me last year that her best career advice is to stay open to new experiences and not get overwhelmed by distant goals. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 In that speech, the monarch, then 84 years old, urged Norwegians not to let fear overwhelm them. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 The dearth of Patriot interceptors in Europe would leave few alternatives for shooting down Russia’s more advanced ballistic missiles, which can be combined with swarms of inexpensive drones to overwhelm defenses, experts say. — Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Still, the demands of caring for her mom physically and emotionally overwhelm her. — Elissa Strauss, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
  1. overcome
  2. engulf
  3. devastate
  4. flood
  5. crush
  6. drown
Verb
  • Augusto, Marrero, Hernández and countless others have little choice but to figure things out which, in Cuban parlance, means overcoming whatever obstacle is placed in their way.
    — Juan Carlos López, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
  • McKee, 75, will also have to overcome simmering anger over a bridge repair project that has dragged on longer than expected.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Footage from that border area captured Wednesday showed a furious wave of material engulfing a multistory border facility known as the Gyirong Port Immigration Office.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Senators, governors, commissioners, judges, lawyers, regents and even the president of the United States have taken cracks at fixing the problems that engulf college sports.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • The conflict in Gaza has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and devastated the enclave.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Its interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former al-Qa’eda militant who led the rebel offensive that overthrew dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, has been struggling to rebuild a nation devastated by almost 14 years of civil war.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • Morgan Creek and Cove Creek will be particularly subject to flooding this morning.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) estimates that 300,000 to 500,000 people died, most from the surge flooding coastal islands and tidal flats.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of flood
Verb
  • If a user explicitly demands 10 paragraphs, the system's brevity filters should be automatically crushed to zero weight.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The bear bit through his arms and shoulder and the preacher could feel and hear his bones crushing.
    — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of crush
Verb
  • After a 2-year-old drowned in a backyard swimming pool in July 2025, Fatehi considered filing felony murder charges against his mother, who had passed out from drinking at the time of the accident.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Estimates of the death toll range from roughly 1 million to 4 million, with later deaths attributed to famine and disease as well as drowning.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of drown

Browse Nearby Words

overweights
overwhelm
overwhelmed
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Cite this Entry

“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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