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
Ethiopia depends on Djibouti for the overwhelming majority of its maritime commerce, including fuel imports. — Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 That’s been overwhelming in a good way, with some really good projects coming out of Norway. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 29 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
  • According to a 2020 Department of Defense study, a staggering 77% of young Americans do not qualify for military service due to health concerns.
    — Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The rooms There are a staggering 588 rooms, including 162 long-term studios and speciality suites equipped with kitchens, all with views of either Darling Harbour or the cityscape.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 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
  • The group Save Our Beaches San Clemente, however, says adding more rocks on the coast to protect the railroad is unacceptable.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Russia's demands for Ukraine to surrender its territory, among other things, are unacceptable for Kyiv.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 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

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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 2 Oct. 2026.

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