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
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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
as in bewildered
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of overwhelmed
Tom Zoellner, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
But due to the number of animals who were displaced during the tragic flooding earlier this month, the rescue workers were overwhelmed and wouldn't be able to take the Chihuahuas until several days later.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Campbell’s song archives are overflowing, which sometimes overwhelmed even Petty.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Verb
But a week later, what had been named the Dragon Bravo Fire hit a patch of fuel and took on a terrifying character in new gusts of wind, surrounding overwhelmed firefighters on a helipad and heading with unstoppable force to the south.
—Tom Zoellner, AZCentral.com, 25 July 2025
But due to the number of animals who were displaced during the tragic flooding earlier this month, the rescue workers were overwhelmed and wouldn't be able to take the Chihuahuas until several days later.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
Adjective
Don’t get overwhelmed by the excitement.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Campbell’s song archives are overflowing, which sometimes overwhelmed even Petty.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed
Verb
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While Walking to School Bus Stop Jordan’s dad, who wasn’t in the vehicle, is devastated.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Lewis witnessed school closures that critics said devastated the South and West sides.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Analytics and technology have flooded the sport.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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Their main food source vanished after decades of pollution flooded the Lagoon — and the species’ most important home on the East Coast turned into a graveyard.—
Bethany Barnes,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This run – and the exhausted, bewildered looks on the players’ faces throughout it – has no doubt shaped Inter’s odds to win away to Barcelona, which look pretty close to long shot territory.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The runoff election marks yet another chapter in the country's struggle against a surge of violent crime that has engulfed cities in a country that was once a popular tourist destination and was left badly scarred by the pandemic.—
James LaPorta,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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When first responders arrived on the scene, both the plane and a vehicle were already fully engulfed in flames, which have since been extinguished, TMZ reported.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The energy in this race came from ordinary voters, many of whom feel that their voices have been drowned out by corporate donations, union influence, and political machines.—
Amy Reichert,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
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The noise has drowned out Africa’s challenges, which center on job creation and climate change.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The bemused cat owner couldn't resist sharing Luna's mischief on TikTok (@megs.amanda) with a video showing the paw print in one of the cookies.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
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When Anisimova lost the Queen’s final last month to 37-year-old Tatyana Maria, she was totally bemused by the German’s cat and mouse tactics.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Starting Jets center Joe Tippmann was one of those surprised people, but Glenn called Tippmann shortly after the deal was made to explain his thinking.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
23 July 2025
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Based on the findings, don’t be surprised if there are more lessons to be learned from the tragedy.—
Edward Segal,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelmed. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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