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 Many people also noted that the barrel shape is subtle, allowing anyone to wear the look without being overwhelmed by excess fabric. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 Now’s your chance to snag a deal on this outdoor loveseat set that supplies extra seating but won’t overwhelm smaller spaces. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 July 2026 Goldstein was comatose and had been placed on a ventilator after pneumonia overwhelmed her lungs. — John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Nieuw Bergen presents an innovative and attractive approach to inner-city housing, demonstrating how housing developments can be introduced without overwhelming the character of an existing neighborhood. — Bridget Borgobello july 04, New Atlas, 4 July 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
  • The rookie point guard overcame early shooting struggles to lead all scorers with 25 points.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
  • The telecommunications giant’s fight to end landline service is playing out in the FCC and federal court, amid an underlying battle over how much power the agency has to overcome decisions by states.
    — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Platner's withdrawal caps days of turmoil that had engulfed his campaign and intensifies pressure on Democratic leaders to quickly coalesce around an alternative candidate.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 July 2026
  • That raised concerns that the region could tip back into a war that would engulf several countries and could halt energy shipments through the strait that are crucial for the global economy.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • Twin earthquakes on June 24 devastated Venezuela, with more than 3,300 deaths and more than 30,000 people reported missing.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Their larvae, which burrow into the flesh of cattle and can be fatal if untreated, can devastate wildlife and bring financial ruin to ranchers.
    — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • News of his death – one example of the political violence roiling America in recent years – quickly went global, with graphic videos flooding social media and politicians on both sides of the aisle swiftly condemning the killing.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Video from the store's security camera captured the collapse, showing a portion of the roof fall near the bakery section as a deluge of water flooded the interior.
    — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Definition of flood
Verb
  • Collins crushed a home run to dead center to start the eighth inning and tie the game.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026
  • Fans of Brazil, Colombia and Portugal also were crushed that their teams, expected to make deep runs, crashed out so early.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of crush
Verb
  • The death marked the fourth fatal drowning on the Lake of the Ozarks in 2026, according to the patrol’s data.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
  • The team’s supporters filled a few compact sections, islands of green drowned out in a sea of blue Kylian Mbappé jerseys.
    — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 6 July 2026
Definition of drown

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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 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of overwhelm for Spanish Speakers

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