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
Aghili also was overwhelmed by feelings of angst and disorientation during the days and weeks after the fires.
—
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
The logic was that the camp’s bombardment would occupy the security details and give the prisoners the opportunity to overwhelm the guards and escape.
—Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
The subtle vanilla in Dulce brings out unexpected sweetness in Angel Dust without overwhelming its sophisticated character.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 2 May 2025
While budget constraints and fiscal instability are an ongoing concern, overwhelmed HR departments that may be unable to process high volumes of applications in a fast and efficient manner are exacerbating the problem.
—The Hill, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 9 May 2025
The logic was that the camp’s bombardment would occupy the security details and give the prisoners the opportunity to overwhelm the guards and escape.
—Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
The subtle vanilla in Dulce brings out unexpected sweetness in Angel Dust without overwhelming its sophisticated character.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 2 May 2025
While budget constraints and fiscal instability are an ongoing concern, overwhelmed HR departments that may be unable to process high volumes of applications in a fast and efficient manner are exacerbating the problem.
—The Hill, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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Yet amid the devastation, a few glimmers of hope remain—Palestine’s U-20 national women’s team recently won the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship, overcoming Jordan 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the final following a 1-1 draw.—
Samindra Kunti,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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During a stretch in which the Twins are outscoring opponents 68-29, the team is receiving contributions from just about everyone on the roster while concurrently overcoming the mounting injuries.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle said staff members saw smoke on the second floor of the museum and later returned to the whole room room engulfed in flames, WBRZ reported.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
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On the evening of May 15, the south wing of Nottoway Resort in White Castle, L.A., was engulfed in flames.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
16 May 2025
Verb
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Beyond the immediate dead, the refugees, destroyed agriculture, loss of economic capacity, all would utterly devastate China.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
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Independent cinema—arguably the heart of artistic risk and innovation, would be devastated.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Verb
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On Friday, social media was flooded with clips of Fortnite’s Darth Vader talking with players in Jones’s iconic voice.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
16 May 2025
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The Midcentury Modern home of Justin Edwards, one half of the couple whose love story informs the show — an adaptation of Judy Blume’s 1975 novel — is flooded with work from Black Angelenos.—
Karla Marie Sanford,
Los Angeles Times,
16 May 2025
Verb
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When Resident Playbook starts, Yi-young is already crushing on her sister’s brother-in-law Do-won (Jung Joon-won).—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
19 May 2025
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But a disappointing loss to Sergio Martínez in 2012, lack of discipline needed to train properly and make weight, as well as a crushing defeat to Álvarez in 2017, sent his career into a free fall.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Except the music playing her off the stage drowns out his name!—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
7 May 2025
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Her 14-year-old brother drowned, according to authorities, and her father is in a coma.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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