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
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Recent Examples of overwhelm
At San Diego City Hall, the affordability theme has been overwhelmed by an onslaught of rate and fee increases.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Still, Tuttle warned that political agendas can sometimes overwhelm cinema itself.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
Warnings are typically issued when rainfall is recorded at levels that can suddenly overwhelm desert drainage or when flooding has already been observed.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
While the flavor of this bread did not overwhelm our editors, many commented on the pleasant texture, making this store brand from ALDI a great option as the base for a sandwich or recipe.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Still, Tuttle warned that political agendas can sometimes overwhelm cinema itself.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2025
Warnings are typically issued when rainfall is recorded at levels that can suddenly overwhelm desert drainage or when flooding has already been observed.
—Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
While the flavor of this bread did not overwhelm our editors, many commented on the pleasant texture, making this store brand from ALDI a great option as the base for a sandwich or recipe.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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For Woodruff, The Green Kitchen was born out of her own healing journey after overcoming the Epstein-Barr virus and heavy metal toxicity through mindful eating and nutrient-dense foods.—
Wyles Daniel,
AZCentral.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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The six-week course, according to a syllabus, blends positive thinking with business and money strategies, offering advice on how to outwork the competition, manage ego, overcome failure and set goals — with homework assignments included.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Investigators believe the suspect also deliberately set fire to the church, which appeared engulfed in flames in photos and videos shared on social media.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
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Authorities continue to scour the rubble to gather evidence, including searching for clues on the cause of the fire that engulfed the complex, a law enforcement source briefed on the investigation told CNN.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And that doesn’t change when the relationships in the middle of a dispute are the ones between Prince William and Prince Harry, and the one feeling devastated by the feud is Prince George.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 Oct. 2025
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But none appears set to devastate his team’s chances of contention as has that of Burrow.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The president responded by calling a special session and flooding the assembly with armed troops.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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Reaction to the Grand Blanc Township violence Statements of support, shock and encouragement quickly flooded social media.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The drop in the currency has been driven in part by concerns over Milei’s political support ahead of key midterm elections later this month following a crushing defeat in a local vote in Buenos Aires province in early September.—
Nicolle Yapur,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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Pinochet promptly reimbursed foreign mining companies, invited in foreign investors, and crushed domestic miners’ unions, moves with long-term ramifications.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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People fled to the roof, where the roar of rushing water nearly drowned out the approach of rescue helicopters, Mitchell said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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The risk of drowning for autistic children is more than 160 times greater than the general child population, according to a 2017 study by Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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