1
as in overpowering
Related Words
Relevance
2
as in crushing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in staggering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in devastating
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 flooding
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 overwhelming
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Miami is not known for its public transportation, so for the World Cup games hosted in South Florida, the logistics of getting thousands of fans to the stadium seemed overwhelming.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026
Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Overall on Wednesday, the Giants’ defense was dominant, with Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dennard Wilson’s secondary blitzes, Arvell Reese and Jevon Holland and others overwhelming Jaxson Dart’s offense.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Adjective
However, some find stronger fragrances overwhelming at first.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Miami is not known for its public transportation, so for the World Cup games hosted in South Florida, the logistics of getting thousands of fans to the stadium seemed overwhelming.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 15 June 2026
Verb
Tennis courts, a dedicated pickleball court, fitness center, swimming pool, whirlpool tub, private garage parking and a residents-only clubhouse keep the lifestyle fully supported without overwhelming the setting.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Overall on Wednesday, the Giants’ defense was dominant, with Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dennard Wilson’s secondary blitzes, Arvell Reese and Jevon Holland and others overwhelming Jaxson Dart’s offense.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Adjective
-
Coral is the ultimate summer manicure shade, striking the perfect balance between pink and orange for a look that's vibrant without feeling overpowering.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
12 June 2026
-
Baby wipes or non-scented lotion will also fix an overpowering scent.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
And that makes his collapse all the more crushing.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Even the laughs and smiles that Joe and Kate Keller issue are fleeting, a respite from the journey toward a more crushing reality.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Young workers are carrying staggering amounts of uncertainty already.—
Jennie Glazer,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Mayweather is currently buried under a mountain of debt, including a staggering $7 million federal tax lien from the IRS for unpaid back taxes.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
But Saeta, which has been outfitting the team since coming to its rescue after the country’s devastating 2010 earthquake, has been struggling to keep up with demands, creating an opening for designers and other vendors selling unofficial merchandise.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
-
The British government refused to subsidize food prices or restrict exports of Irish agricultural goods, further devastating the island.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur battered parts of the southeastern United States with drenching rains and strong wind on Thursday, tearing through buildings, flooding homes and launching water rescues along the Gulf Coast.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Other speakers raised concerns about potential odors and air pollutants emanating from the wastewater treatment facility and about how the facility might exacerbate flooding in the area.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
None of that stopped lots of British journalists turning up in Makerfield to write about the irresistible lure of Reform to working-class voters.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
-
With his irresistible positivity, Towers, who’s spent years refining his craft, still feels like someone at the start of a much bigger story.—
Ali Lerman,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Adjective
-
Warsh called that unacceptable and kept saying so.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
-
This proposal is utterly unacceptable.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Since SpaceX’s stupendous debut hours after Shotwell’s CNBC appearance, the math governing a potential union has improved substantially.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
-
The best of what was the best of the Crillon has been thoughtfully preserved, while the best of what is new (the bar, the barbershop, L’Ecrin restaurant, and the stupendous suites by the late Karl Lagerfeld) is gobsmacking in its boldness and daring.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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