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

As lifelong Queen fans, Pemberton and Knight were overwhelmed by their experience in May’s studio. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026

Scientists warn that king tides could rise another foot or two during El Niño, and storms at the same time could overwhelm defenses and inundate areas unaccustomed to flooding. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Dozens of vehicles required manual retrieval after requests for assistance from remote operators overwhelmed Waymo’s response system. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Oct. 2026

If this news is overwhelming you, maybe try a deep, brain-poisoning breath. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 28 Oct. 2026

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