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
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Recent Examples of overwhelm
One week after historic flooding overwhelmed their Kentucky distillery, Buffalo Trace is trying to return to normalcy.
—
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
If public schools were required to provide advance notice of any lesson that might offend any parent’s religious views, they would be overwhelmed by this obligation.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
The scene on the 18th green, of McIlroy falling to his knees as emotions overwhelmed him, will live on forever.
—Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
But business and investment decisions are best made without emotions overwhelming us.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
If public schools were required to provide advance notice of any lesson that might offend any parent’s religious views, they would be overwhelmed by this obligation.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
The scene on the 18th green, of McIlroy falling to his knees as emotions overwhelmed him, will live on forever.
—Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
But business and investment decisions are best made without emotions overwhelming us.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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Trailing 0-2, the Heat now faces a series deficit that not many NBA teams have overcome.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
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Not without its controversy, like life, the show has tried to demonstrate that family can overcome anything with love, laughter, and conversation.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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So, this was the crisis that engulfed Virginia at the end of April in 1775.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 Apr. 2025
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Police officers and firefighters arrived to find the building fully engulfed in flames.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The loss has brought yet another heartbreak for the Townsend family, stemming from the mass shooting that devastated this suburban Denver community 26 years ago.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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At first, Tyrion's owner was devastated with her dog's diagnosis.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Christians and Muslims flooded social media with tributes, remembering his vocal condemnation of violence and consistent empathy for Gaza's civilians.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
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Special forces and ambulances flooded the scene, and workers in nearby stores were ordered to shelter in place.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But their eggs and hatchlings can get crushed by tractors; they’re also being eaten by foxes, crows and sheep.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
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Between takes, Kish crushed Culver’s ButterBurgers, she and Simmons spooned custard at Kopp’s and Leon’s, and the crew detoured to Serbian staple Three Brothers, Vientiane Noodle Shop, and The Elegant Farmer.—
Nasha Smith,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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His playbook involves drowning rivals in legal fees.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2025
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Twin brothers died in a drowning incident while fishing in a Mississippi lake last week, officials said.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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