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
His immune system, no longer overwhelmed by runaway viral replication, then regained the upper hand and finished the virus off on its own.
—
Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2026
Russia carries out occasional but massive strikes to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 June 2026
Overall on Wednesday, the Giants’ defense was dominant, with Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dennard Wilson’s secondary blitzes, Arvell Reese and Jevon Holland and others overwhelming Jaxson Dart’s offense.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
Ben Gibbard was overwhelmed by his memories.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 4 June 2026
Russia carries out occasional but massive strikes to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 June 2026
Overall on Wednesday, the Giants’ defense was dominant, with Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dennard Wilson’s secondary blitzes, Arvell Reese and Jevon Holland and others overwhelming Jaxson Dart’s offense.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
Ben Gibbard was overwhelmed by his memories.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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The pair became friends, and Hasley went on to help write a book about Jenner’s philosophy on overcoming adversity in sports and life.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
Macron and Merz had tried for months to salvage the project and overcome differences between Airbus and Dassault.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The overwhelming majority live in a narrow corridor of wine country, stretching from Geneva to Montreux, that is almost entirely engulfed by France.—
Jessi Jezewska Stevens,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
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In Russia's southern Krasnodar region, this video circulating online showing an oil depot engulfed in flames.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Verb
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While several of these positions are vacant to avoid layoffs, representatives said the reductions would nevertheless devastate public safety efforts.—
Reeti Malhotra
June 11,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
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The screwworm could devastate the nation’s cattle industry.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Fans and former costars alike flooded social media with outpourings of appreciation for his talent and grief at his death.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
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The set design is centered around the flooded, burned down, and demolished house that appears in the album visuals and is somehow still standing despite it all.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Inland Empire cities in the path of the notorious San Andreas fault haven’t ordered the retrofit or demolition of old brick buildings, which could rain debris capable of crushing pedestrians, cars and buses with deadly force onto sidewalks and streets during shaking.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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The largest eastern elk would have weighed up to a thousand pounds, and a stomp or kick from that powerful animal was fatal; the skulls of dogs and wolves would be crushed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
Verb
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This is the third report of a water rescue operation along the Front Range this week in which a child fell into the water or was swept away and drowned.—
Jasmine Arenas,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
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Three-year-old Riley Fox was found drowned and half-naked in a Wilmington creek.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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