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

Parents feared vaccines could overwhelm their children’s immune system or increase risk of complications. — Jennifer Reich, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Several on the ground said they were overwhelmed by the support coming from first responders and fellow reporters. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Parravani recommends streamlining your selections in terms of both quantity and size in order to create a furniture scheme that does not overwhelm your space. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 16 Sep. 2026

Their sleek silhouette and tapered toe boxes won’t overwhelm outfits, and instead, have a leg-lengthening effect when paired with skinny jeans (in true millennial fashion) or straight-leg pants. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

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