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 The drape looks fluid without overwhelming my petite proportions, and the drawstring waist promises a customizable fit. — Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026 Giant shrubs and trees can visually overwhelm a tiny house and make the yard feel even smaller. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026 Linalool and linalyl, aromatic compounds found in lavender, are known to deter certain pests by overwhelming their sensitive sense of smell. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 Furniture that is too large for a room overwhelms it; ensure your furniture is appropriate for your room size and the other pieces in that room. — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 July 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
  • After scoring in Mexico’s opening match against South Africa — his first goal at a World Cup — Jimenez was overcome with emotion on the pitch.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • To be able to feel and touch the community of Cologne, and this person who suffered that ordeal and overcame it — and then managed to carry out the courage of her convictions with Ukrainian refugees.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Flames from raging wildfires engulfed a train that was evacuating residents in Ontario, Canada.
    — Gina Park, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • In fact, the candle engulfed nearly three weeks of the prior price action.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 15 July 2026
Definition of engulf
Verb
  • Of course, they’re devastated, and so is Clark, who is left with an ideal, a paragon of self-sacrifice, a superhero to remember and look up to, but not a friend.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
  • This all comes after reports that Lively was devastated not to get an invite to Swift’s wedding.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 July 2026
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • The final show of Jay-Z's anniversary concert series at Yankee Stadium on Sunday was delayed for hours after hundreds of ticketless fans flooded the gates and breached security, according to officials.
    — Christina Fan, CBS News, 13 July 2026
  • Social media feeds are flooded with highlights and memes of the Norway striker, and fans can’t get enough.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 13 July 2026
Definition of flood
Verb
  • Collins crushed a home run to dead center to start the eighth inning and tie the game.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026
  • Fans of Brazil, Colombia and Portugal also were crushed that their teams, expected to make deep runs, crashed out so early.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of crush
Verb
  • According to police, detectives determined that Roper and the juvenile were present when Erving drowned but failed to report the incident and later discarded some of his belongings.
    — Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • The incident occurred on the Elk River in Noel, Missouri, at the beach of the Two Sons Campground, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol drowning report.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 13 July 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 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on overwhelm

Nglish: Translation of overwhelm for Spanish Speakers

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