overwhelming 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of overwhelmingnext
1
as in overpowering

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2
as in crushing

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Dissimilar Words
3
as in staggering

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Dissimilar Words

overwhelming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of overwhelm
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

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 overwhelming
Adjective
Across the city, people of all ages have been exploring their contributions from a period that felt overwhelming and uncertain. — Stacey Gillett, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 How Marketers Should Adapt Today This shift can feel overwhelming, but the response doesn’t need to be complicated. — Bernard May, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
For obelisks and pillars, select roses that mature to a height of six to eight feet to avoid overwhelming the structure. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 July 2026 At just the right length for petites, the dress is proportioned to define the body instead of overwhelming it. — Tanya Sharma, InStyle, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
  1. overpowering
  2. crushing
  3. staggering
  4. devastating
  5. flooding
  6. irresistible
  7. unacceptable
  8. stupendous
Adjective
  • Reliever Grant Taylor pitched two overpowering innings, striking out four while picking up the victory.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
  • The playful print isn’t too overpowering, yet it’s guaranteed to turn heads (and collect compliments) thanks to its flattering neckline and retro-inspired vibe.
    — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 25 June 2026
Definition of overpowering
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
Definition of crushing
Adjective
  • The 2018 Russian World Cup was a vehicle for President Vladimir Putin to project prestige while wielding a staggering crackdown on civil society and LGBT rights.
    — Minky Worden, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Humans are cursed to become inured to anything that persists long enough, and even the staggering beauty of a total solar eclipse may begin to fade after, say, an hour.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 July 2026
Definition of staggering
Verb
  • Instead, Trump talks about devastating Iran’s infrastructure – hitting bridges and power plants.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • Over 850 wildfires are currently devastating Canada, as reported by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of devastating
Verb
  • At some point in the mid-1850s, the river Padma suddenly carved a new path through the village of his ancestors in modern-day Bangladesh, flooding their homes and scattering them across the Indian subcontinent.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • Trump weaponized that hostility, emphasizing a narrative of Maduro flooding American streets with fentanyl and mentally ill criminals.
    — Rafael Osío Cabrices, Time, 20 July 2026
Definition of flooding
Adjective
  • Knowing their songs are irresistible (and deadly), Odysseus covers his crew’s ears and orders them to tie him up to the mast of his ship.
    — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • At its best, Abrams’ writing taps into a satisfying cadence where the syllables follow an irresistible internal logic and hit just right.
    — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026
Definition of irresistible
Adjective
  • Critics say such plans are wholly unacceptable because light pollution from so many large, bright satellites would radically degrade views of the night sky.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026
  • For the union, this is unacceptable and yet another issue their members are facing.
    — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • The defense has been stupendous, especially from center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • The mantra heading into second-quarter results is that another display of stupendous growth of 24% over a year earlier makes equities appear quite reasonably priced.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of stupendous

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Cite this Entry

“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of overwhelming for Spanish Speakers

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