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
Relevance
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
1
as in overpowering
Related Words
2
as in crushing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
3
as in staggering
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of overwhelming
Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
In times of uncertainty, stress can feel overwhelming, seeping into every aspect of our lives—from our physical health to our mental clarity and emotional stability.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
Looking at the numbers, California’s gasoline demand of 874,000 barrels a day is already overwhelming the state’s refining capacity that falls to 740,000 barrels daily after the Phillips 66 closure.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Verb
In general, acting quickly is key since the pain can be sharp and overwhelming within the first few seconds.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
In times of uncertainty, stress can feel overwhelming, seeping into every aspect of our lives—from our physical health to our mental clarity and emotional stability.
—Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Both of these will amplify that creamy base and give you amped up staying power without overwhelming the floral heart.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Oct. 2025
Looking at the numbers, California’s gasoline demand of 874,000 barrels a day is already overwhelming the state’s refining capacity that falls to 740,000 barrels daily after the Phillips 66 closure.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Verb
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That changed after Inter’s devastating 5–0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final — the worst defeat in the competition’s history.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Sol Price had relinquished his official leadership role, and Robert’s fifteen-year-old son had recently died of cancer, devastating the family.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Construction fines at the site For Smith, the biggest concern was flooding in his backyard.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Theories range from the Fitzgerald striking a shoal and suffering bottom damage to flooding through the freighter's hatch covers, which filled the ship with water and sank it, to rogue waves, to structural flaws in the ship that the 1975 storm made deadly.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Glade Plug-In Apple Cinnamon Refills, 5-Pack This fragrance is a little sweet, a little spicy, and 100 percent comforting — definitely not your typical overpowering air freshener.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Burman’s Mild and herby with a bright tang, this one was less overpowering than others.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The shift in the Heat’s offense toward LaRoche’s philosophy so far this season has been staggering.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Human drivers take a staggering 1 million lives every year.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Key challenges to commercialization include creating a material that is both safe and highly conductive and overcoming the high costs of mass production.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
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Castellani and Muritiba spoke about how the United States can learn from Brazil and their country’s history of overcoming fascism.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Israel’s self-defense policies risk engulfing the region in turmoil and harming the country’s stability.—
Yossi Shelley,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
An opera which seriously addressed that theme would be equal to the crisis that is engulfing the American experiment.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Weiss, the entrepreneurial and opinionated co-founder of The Free Press website, is an irresistible story to the media chattering classes.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Both are charming, sociable and irresistible, drawing others in while on daily walks or at any gathering.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Denying people the essentials necessary for their survival, to obtain compliance or a political agreement, should be unacceptable.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Controversy arose earlier this year after residents, a council member and the mayor declared a cooling station set up for homeless residents and others without adequate heating and cooling as unacceptable.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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