overwhelming 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of overwhelmingnext
1
as in overpowering

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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
The actor described overwhelming fatigue, widespread pain and difficulty moving her shoulder. — Deborah Day, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026 Representative Hakeem Jeffries is campaigning to hold the same office and remains the overwhelming favorite to become the first Black speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes in January. — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
Verb
The Arlington Heights Yellow Jackets (8-0, 4-0 District 4 5A-1) continued their dominant season Thursday night, overwhelming the Trimble Tech Bulldogs (4-3, 2-2 District 4 5A-1) 72-0 to remain undefeated. — Aliza Acuna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 Western and workwear references ran through the lineup without overwhelming its sporty foundation. — Footwear News, 22 Oct. 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
  • Brown noted that, ideally, a high-proof spirit will have more complex flavors from the barrels it's aged in as opposed to an overpowering alcohol flavor.
    — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Peralta relied on his overpowering four-seamer throughout the series.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 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
  • The result is a staggering 24 inches of pure suspension travel to tackle exposed limestone and gnarled roots of severe backcountry trails.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Nov. 2026
  • One of the studies found that between 2017 and 2025, the rate of vitamin K deficiency bleeding increased a staggering 347%.
    — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of staggering
Verb
  • The story here is about the strange relationships that form in the wake of devastating loss, and an examination of the unpredictable, messy and confusing connections often found between people experiencing grief.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Just one week after devastating flooding across southwest Colorado, another powerful storm is moving in.
    — Callie Zanandrie, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of devastating
Verb
  • Early Monday morning, the Gila River crested more than 2 feet higher than the level capable of flooding several homes and businesses on the north sides of Solomon, Safford and Thatcher, Arizona, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Benally said his parents, both in their 60s, have lived in the area all their lives and have never seen flooding this severe.
    — Christopher Weber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of flooding
Adjective
  • Which might explain why the finished pieces look so deliciously irresistible!
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That catnip cast makes the series immediately interesting, not to say irresistible.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of irresistible
Adjective
  • But singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • William James Middle received its fifth unacceptable rating in a row in the 2025-26 school year.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • But despite its stupendous production values and painstaking details, the game left me feeling oddly bereft.
    — James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Padres are ridiculously hot, and the scene in San Diego was stupendous during the Wild Card Series.
    — The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of stupendous

Browse Nearby Words

overwhelmed
overwhelming
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Cite this Entry

“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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