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
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Recent Examples of overwhelm
Humans have built ways of controlling it, but water has the underlying power to overwhelm and destroy.
—
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Chicory's assertive coffee-like flavor won't overwhelm these icebox cookies.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Federal agents have mobilized so aggressively that their impact is fathomable only to those on the receiving end of it, and to the local police officers overwhelmed by it.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
Statues While many people have a fondness for kitsch, oversized lawn or entryway décor, such as novelty statues, can quickly overwhelm and distract from the home.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
Chicory's assertive coffee-like flavor won't overwhelm these icebox cookies.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026
Federal agents have mobilized so aggressively that their impact is fathomable only to those on the receiving end of it, and to the local police officers overwhelmed by it.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
Statues While many people have a fondness for kitsch, oversized lawn or entryway décor, such as novelty statues, can quickly overwhelm and distract from the home.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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The Global Compassion Coalition says that the first step to overcoming helplessness is to practice acceptance instead of resistance, which is a hard pill to take at the moment.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
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One night after the Warriors snapped Minnesota's 103-game streak of scoring at least 100 points — the third-longest in NBA history — the Timberwolves overcame a cold start from the floor and 23 turnovers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a disturbing incident in the northern city of Rasht, regime forces shot unarmed civilians trying to escape an inferno engulfing its bazaar.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The home was fully engulfed in flames and then collapsed.—
Tom Ignudo,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Grand Canyon National Park is preparing to reopen portions of the North Rim after the Dragon Bravo Fire devastated the region last summer.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Through its Quds Force, the Guard backed regional groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, but recent Israeli strikes have devastated its network.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bala’s home was flooded with dirty water for six months as a result, making her family sick.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
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At the park Friday, Hernandez spoke about her efforts to help address the problems, flooding the area with mobile home response teams, ex-gang members who try to de-escalate gang violence, otherwise known as peace ambassadors.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Meta Platform crushed its fourth quarter, beating on the top and bottom lines.—
,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
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The administration has since further devolved into an extension of his worldview, one where might — and white — makes right and all critics must be crushed.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rural voters on the Eastern Shore don’t want their voices drowned out by Democrats forced into their district from the suburbs of Central Maryland.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Feb. 2026
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Whitney died suddenly in February 2012, having accidentally drowned in a hotel room a day before the Grammy Awards.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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