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overwhelming 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of overwhelmingnext
1
as in overpowering

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in crushing

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
3
as in staggering

Related Words

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
And with so many suitcases on the market, figuring out which is best for your travel plans can get overwhelming fast. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2026 Sierra Canyon remains the overwhelming favorite, but the Eagles’ improvement after a 5-6 season in 2026 is noticeable. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
The goal is to keep the social cost of speaking from overwhelming the intellectual work of disagreement. — Liam Julian, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2026 Soft black creates a high-contrast, dramatic look without overwhelming the space. — Farima Ferguson, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 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
  • Beyond coffee, Gottsman said candidates should avoid other distractions or unprofessional impressions by putting away their phones, skipping overpowering fragrances, removing sunglasses from the tops of their heads and avoiding chewing gum.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Since the inception of Puffy, Combs has been the overpowering narrator of his own story, masterful at marketing himself as whatever shiny new version of himself he’s decided to be.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 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
  • Passing on the deal cost Kobe a staggering $23 million payday.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Still, the additional cost of relying on land routes is also staggering.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of staggering
Verb
  • Military force has imposed enormous costs on both Hamas and Iran, devastating their military facilities and killing their commanders.
    — NADIA SCHADLOW, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The country is also recovering from devastating back-to-back earthquakes in June that have so far killed over 6,000 people.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of devastating
Verb
  • Kansas City will start the week warm and dry before the remnants of Hurricane Polo bring rounds of rain and thunderstorms midweek, with heavy rainfall and flooding possible, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Rain with flooding possible Thursday Rain chances remain very high, around 90%, with additional periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms possible on Thursday.
    — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of flooding
Adjective
  • What made the opportunity irresistible is the moment and the people.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The combination of novel communications challenges and a potentially life-changing payout would seem to be an irresistible set-up for any number of crisis and communications professionals at the top of their game.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of irresistible
Adjective
  • Laying an egg against the Raiders in Year 3 of the Harbaugh era is unacceptable.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Kip Dellinger Santa Monica The type of play by the Chargers on Sunday was completely unacceptable, lackluster and disappointing for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • McLean has built on his stupendous 2025 late-season cameo by making every start and consistently delivering quality outings.
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Afternoon tea is likely to ease effortlessly into cocktails in the stupendous Palm Court.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of stupendous

Browse Nearby Words

overwhelmed
overwhelming
overwhelms
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Cite this Entry

“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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