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

Other combinations compete for attention or overwhelm each other. — Kent Merrell, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The new album appears designed to tease, coax and overwhelm the listener. — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Most doses were in the 5- to 10-mg range, a standard dose for casual marijuana users, though high-potency brands with 50, 60, and even 100 mg of THC — intense amounts likely to overwhelm all but heavy users — were also easy to find. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 21 July 2026

The vulnerability in Iraq’s approach The challenge is whether Iraq can convert this connectivity into national advantage without allowing external competition to overwhelm government decision-making. — John Calabrese, The Conversation, 21 July 2026

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