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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
Following overwhelming demand for the stage musical adaptation of Darren Stein’s 1999 teen cult classic, the production will continue with three more performances the weekend of September 25-27 at the Hudson Theatre. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026 The Senate approved the measure last month with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 86-11. — Lauren Peller, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
Adversaries may soon be able to fly drones in coordinated swarms using AI, effectively overwhelming any defenses. — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 Oak trees battle this by having bumper crops some years, overwhelming the acorn predators (and ensuring that some of the seeds mature), and then producing minimal crops the next year. — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 2 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
  • 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
  • Feller was 23 years old, perhaps the most overpowering pitcher in baseball and entering the prime of a Hall of Fame career.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 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
  • In Ireland alone, standard data centers swallow a staggering 23 percent of the country’s entire electricity supply.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Be aware of and report any coyotes exhibiting behavior indicative of rabies, such as staggering, seizures and extreme lethargy.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 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
  • The policy is making the British glass industry more expensive than the cheap imports from China and Turkey which are flooding the market.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026
  • View of flooding outside of Tonya's Tavern in Washington, Pa.
    — Patrick Damp, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of flooding
Adjective
  • The New York setting also perfectly complements Control Resonant’s irresistible tone.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
  • There are a few old chestnuts that are sort of irresistible, sort of inevitable.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of irresistible
Adjective
  • Immigrant and human-rights advocates called the situation unacceptable, particularly given the dangers facing returning Haitians, including gang killings and surging kidnappings.
    — Gérard Maxineau, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That’s an unacceptable delay for units in active combat operations.
    — Nir Goldstein, Forbes.com, 10 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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