Synonyms of overwhelm

overwhelm

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)welm 

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

• overcome
• devastate
• crush
• oppress
• overpower
• disturb
• drown
• grind (down)
• swamp
• floor
• whelm
• upset
• rock
• prostrate
• shatter
• overmaster
• defeat
• snow under
• distress
• sink
• throw
• refute
• deluge
• stagger
• demoralize
• unnerve
• break
• confute
• unman

2

as in to engulf

to cover with a flood

that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

• engulf
• flood
• drown
• inundate
• submerge
• overflow
• overcome
• gulf
• swamp
• deluge
• flush
• smother
• submerse
• flow
• overrun
• wet
• avalanche
• stream
• gush
• spurt
• pour
• drench
• soak
• douse
• sluice
• spout

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drain
• dry
• dehydrate
• parch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overwhelm

Farther west, in the Pacific port city of Buenaventura, Mayor Ligia Córdoba Martínez said the scale of the destruction had overwhelmed the district government’s ability to respond. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

William and Catherine had introduced royal life gradually rather than overwhelming him with it. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Whether that means a barrier-supporting moisturizer for dry skin, a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin or a lightweight serum, the goal is to work with the skin rather than overwhelm it. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2026

These can overwhelm and damage your kidneys, leading to kidney failure. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

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