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
In a world overwhelmed by urgency, where crises unfold in rapid succession and complexity clouds our judgment, speed is no longer a reliable leadership advantage.
—
Olivia Dufour, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Too many objects, colors, shapes or details competing for attention can overwhelm the brain.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
Unleashing his five-pitch arsenal, Teng overwhelmed Nationals hitters to the tune of five scoreless innings of relief in San Francisco’s 5-0 victory over the Nationals.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2025
Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, had stockpiled tens of thousands of missiles, enough to overwhelm Israel’s air defenses and hit its largest cities.
—Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Olivia Dufour, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Too many objects, colors, shapes or details competing for attention can overwhelm the brain.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
Unleashing his five-pitch arsenal, Teng overwhelmed Nationals hitters to the tune of five scoreless innings of relief in San Francisco’s 5-0 victory over the Nationals.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2025
Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, had stockpiled tens of thousands of missiles, enough to overwhelm Israel’s air defenses and hit its largest cities.
—Yossi Melman, ProPublica, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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Pointing to a legal analysis weighing reasons why the FTC's antitrust claims might not hold up in court, Olson suggested that the FTC is unlikely to overcome constitutional protections and win its ad war on the merits.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
22 Aug. 2025
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If the injury bug becomes too much for the 49ers and/or Rams to overcome — and that's happened before — these two will be right there to take advantage.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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According to the fire department, crews who responded to the blaze found that the home was engulfed in flames on the first and second floors, with flames extending to the third floor.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
19 Aug. 2025
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Moments later, the truck was fully engulfed in flames.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Officials gathered Monday at a shopping center in Seymour that was devastated on Aug. 18, 2024 by massive flooding and mud that damaged multiple stores in the plaza and knocked them out of business for months and more.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
19 Aug. 2025
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Some movies aim to entertain, while others devastate.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Hurricane Erin’s surge, captured flooding the Buxton neighborhood and surrounding coastal communities, came as evacuations and swim bans were issued in the area for safety measures.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
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Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from flooding rain.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The regime crushed the protests and placed Mousavi under house arrest.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
8 Aug. 2025
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Alex Freeland popped out on his bunt attempt, but Ohtani crushed a 93-mph sinker from Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore, sending it 440 feet to left-center field for a two-run home run – and his 1,000th major-league hit.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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If flooding is observed, then turn around, don't drown.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
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Rodriguez, a Woodbury resident, drowned in White Bear Lake in late June.—
Talia McWright,
Twin Cities,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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