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 Also in the red zone, fourth-round rookie cornerback Devin Moore played sound defense on a fade ball for Lamb that fell to the turf after Moore overwhelmed the seven-year vet physically. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026 First, the system has been overwhelmed with disputes — millions more than government officials had anticipated. — Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026 Despite his manic efforts to smash and spray them out of existence, the ever-multiplying cockroaches eventually overwhelm him. — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026 Drain them before adding to the skillet so the tomato flavor doesn’t overwhelm the dish. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 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
  • Prosecutors will have to overcome a few key hurdles in their case.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Four firefighters were killed and a fifth was injured after they were overcome by a fast-moving wildfire in Colorado, near the Utah border, in June.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • The Mazda was engulfed in flames, and all three vehicles were virtually destroyed.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • In 2022, a fire engulfed large sections of the resort in flames, causing significant damage.
    — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • Venezuela now faces a multi-year recovery following the twin quakes which have left whole regions of the country devastated and caused an economic hit equivalent to 6% of the country’s GDP, according to the United Nations Development Programme.
    — Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Other major El Niño episodes brought crop failures, devastating peatland fires, and prolonged droughts.
    — Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • This summer alone, we’re flooded with visitors excited to see the new Obama Presidential Center, enjoy Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza, or just visit the museums and hang out by the lake.
    — Ray LaHood, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But the ease of generating cheap, low-quality video has the potential to flood the platform with garbage, a threat that has been on the minds of company executives intent on making YouTube feel more, not less, premium.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of flood
Verb
  • Despite being only eight-tenths of a mile from the bomb's epicenter, Kakita was crushed but protected by the bathhouse.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • New data from Ladders challenges the belief that six-figure salaries demand crushing stress.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of crush
Verb
  • More than 80 migrants died, including some who drowned or were trampled in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier, according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple media outlets reported that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the body as Best on Monday afternoon and ruled his cause of death as drowning.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of drown

Browse Nearby Words

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 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of overwhelm for Spanish Speakers

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