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
Rachel Murray, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
Those edges, after all, are multifaceted, kinetic and overwhelming.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
Another trick is to work with multiple hues of the same color; layered tones add depth and variation without overwhelming the space.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Adjective
Relief is possible, and care can be tailored long before symptoms become overwhelming.
—Rachel Murray, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
Those edges, after all, are multifaceted, kinetic and overwhelming.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Different grades of molasses exist, but the kind used in brown sugar is typically mild enough to enhance flavor without overwhelming it.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
Another trick is to work with multiple hues of the same color; layered tones add depth and variation without overwhelming the space.
—Mary Grace Granados
special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Adjective
-
The irony is that few major film festivals have felt more grounded in their environs than Sundance or have conveyed a more physically overpowering sense of place.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Country Red Another overpowering shade both Mazzarini and Spalding suggest avoiding is country red.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His decision to leave the agency — after just a year and a half on the job — added to a staggering list of police chiefs who served short stints at the Oakland Police Department, which has operated under federal court oversight for more than 20 years.—
Kyle Martin,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
New York City hate crimes skyrocketed 152% in January, fueled by a staggering 182% surge in antisemitic incidents.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While an eight-game winning run saw Cherki, Foden and Haaland hit their devastating best, three frustrating draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion were characterised by wastefulness in front of goal.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Group members want to see Bonta’s office take ownership of a review, as occurred in Hawaii after Maui’s devastating Lahaina fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At the park Friday, Hernandez spoke about her efforts to help address the problems, flooding the area with mobile home response teams, ex-gang members who try to de-escalate gang violence, otherwise known as peace ambassadors.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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Survivor fans are flooding South Florida, and the center of the action is Jungle Island, where the new Survivor Ultimate Café offers challenges, themed food and official merchandise.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Puerto Rican singers' 2022 hit seamlessly blends reggaeton and EDM for an irresistible club stomper that will, as the title suggests, keep the party going.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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For actors like me, standing on that empty stage, with only the ghost light and no one else there, is an irresistible place to be.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Letting this get past the March 6 NHL trade deadline without receiving anything in return for a pending free agent who everyone knows New York won’t re-sign would be an unacceptable outcome.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The abuse these children suffered in both their biological and adoptive homes was tragic and unacceptable.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rinko Kikuchi is stupendous as a ballroom-dancing widow infatuated with her instructor.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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To proceed more or less in order, renewables are now increasingly backstopped not by fossil fuels but by batteries, which have grown cheaper at a stupendous pace.—
Bill McKibben,
The New York Review of Books,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Raised in a rural village four hours from the Algerian capital, Khelif sold scrap copper as a young girl to fund her training, overcoming significant economic and societal hurdles.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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