as in bewildered
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in devastated
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in flooded
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 overwhelmed
Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Half felt overwhelmed by the process, and slightly more than that said buyers don’t trust them.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
In 2021, extreme cold during a deadly winter storm in Texas overwhelmed the state’s power grids as residents struggled to stay warm, resulting in rolling blackouts that cut electricity to millions of households.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Adjective
In California and Oregon, the laboratories that typically perform analytical chemistry for wineries were quickly overwhelmed.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Half felt overwhelmed by the process, and slightly more than that said buyers don’t trust them.
—Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
Some storylines are meant to be poignant but are overwhelmed by the weirdness or feel exploitative, or the characters aren’t dimensional enough to move you.
—Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
In 2021, extreme cold during a deadly winter storm in Texas overwhelmed the state’s power grids as residents struggled to stay warm, resulting in rolling blackouts that cut electricity to millions of households.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed
Adjective
-
The usually positive Gauff went negative, lacked energy and seemed bewildered and overwhelmed.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Since his starring days at Gonzaga, Timme has earned bewildered double takes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
California lawmakers proposed $90 million in new funding for Planned Parenthood and reproductive health providers devastated by federal defunding.—
Katie King,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Stan, devastated by their betrayal, still can't quite wrap his head around it.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Operation Metro Surge got into full swing earlier this month, more than 3,000 federal immigration agents flooded into Minnesota, carrying out sweeping detentions and facing off with protesters in tense confrontations.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The moment quickly struck a chord with viewers, who flooded the comments with gratitude and emotional reactions.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The collection will have a staggered release.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
22 Jan. 2026
-
For example, properties like S Hotel Montego Bay and nearby Excellence Oyster Bay are currently open, while others remain on staggered timelines.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The sonic boom barrier With the new electromagnetic rail system, engineers overcame a persistent barrier to reliable supersonic performance.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That promoter is Mark Jurich, son of the former Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, both of whom lost their jobs with the Cardinals in the wake of a college basketball player agent scandal that engulfed Pitino’s U of L team.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Suddenly, a brilliant ball of fire engulfed the shuttle.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The children watched in stunned silence.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sean Payton went to a podium in street clothes, told reporters Nix was out for the season with a fractured ankle, and the Broncos’ locker room came away as stunned as the rest of the world.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Add 1 large shallot, thinly sliced into rings, and 8 garlic cloves, crushed, and cook, stirring often, until softened and light golden around the edges, 3–4 minutes.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Some sat remarkably untouched, but most were damaged beyond repair — crushed by falling beams, burned to a shell, and covered in toxic dust.—
Marah Eakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelmed. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
