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
Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
DeSantis argued to Fox that the current maps, despite the overwhelming 20-8 GOP majority, are not fair.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 27 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
This generated a lot of interest because one of the main ways that cancer develops resistance to RAS inhibitors is by amplifying mutant RAS, basically flooding the cell with the oncoprotein and overwhelming the inhibitor.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Adjective
Literature’s loss of cultural authority is due in part to funding cuts, book bannings, and political attacks on higher education, but the overwhelming driver of its diminishment may be our own indifference.
—Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
DeSantis argued to Fox that the current maps, despite the overwhelming 20-8 GOP majority, are not fair.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Each stateroom includes custom artwork of a Disney hero above the bed, adding personality without overwhelming the space.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
This generated a lot of interest because one of the main ways that cancer develops resistance to RAS inhibitors is by amplifying mutant RAS, basically flooding the cell with the oncoprotein and overwhelming the inhibitor.
—Matthew Herper, STAT, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Adjective
-
There was no overpowering onion, which drives me nuts in potato salad.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Elden Ring sets are looking very real in a way that summons an overpowering urge to replay a game that takes 400 hours to get through.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 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
-
The most expensive Republican primary for governor in Georgia history is still a dead heat despite a staggering avalanche of ad spending and one of the ugliest intraparty fights in recent memory.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The lack of depth scoring is staggering.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
House Republicans approved the resolution last month despite conservationists’ warnings that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country’s last remaining wild areas.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Two tornadoes ripped through west Michigan on April 14, devastating a family dairy farm in Fenick, releasing hundreds of cows and leaving thousands without power.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then the Secret Service and every detail came flooding in and everybody went down.—
Calvin Woodward,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Pittsburgh had 16 prospects attend in person, but the real stars were the fans flooding the North Shore and Point State Park.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In addition to its irresistible crunch, a slaw has much to recommend it.—
Victoria Spencer,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Nobody talked of anything but him—his magnificent exploits and irresistible wit.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Those parties clinging to the outdated and socially unacceptable business model that relies on selling puppy mill puppies to unsuspecting consumers are no longer welcome in nine states and over 520 localities and some are looking for a new home.—
Annie Hornish,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri denounced the attack as tragic and unacceptable during a visit to the village on Monday.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The upshot is that with enough qubits, a quantum computer could handle the stupendous computational challenge of accurately simulating a hypothetical magnetic material.—
Glenn Zorpette,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Charlotte is a stupendous city.—
Andre James,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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