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

Meanwhile, Nathan is overwhelmed by the effort to reconcile his responsibilities as a father with his duties as a bosun and the expectations almost certainly put on him by the whole reality TV part of his life. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 July 2026

Bold jewelry pieces are an especially effortless way to zhuzh up any outfit—they’re extra enough to make a statement, but never overwhelming for more casual ’fits. — India Roby, Glamour, 28 July 2026

Strikes against Russia – including targets in Moscow – sometimes involve hundreds of drones launched at a time, to overwhelm local air defenses. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026

Rather than overwhelm Gross with systems and set plays, Clark simplified everything. — Daniel Gallan, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!