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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of overwhelming
Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2026
With the foundation reestablished, shareholders then delivered overwhelming support for the 2025 CEO Performance Award, a structure tied exclusively to long-term value creation.
—Shane Goodwin, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
That being said, keep the vest on the simpler side to avoid overwhelming the patchwork details.
—Lindy Segal, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Adjective
Rebuilding is quieter than those films, more modest in its scope, as director Max Walker-Silverman continues to portray the American West as both beautiful and empty, overwhelming in ways both sublime and suffocating.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 9 Jan. 2026
With the foundation reestablished, shareholders then delivered overwhelming support for the 2025 CEO Performance Award, a structure tied exclusively to long-term value creation.
—Shane Goodwin, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Kovac has been cautious with the midfielder, gradually giving him minutes without overwhelming him.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
That being said, keep the vest on the simpler side to avoid overwhelming the patchwork details.
—Lindy Segal, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Adjective
-
Now, with so much more football and the overpowering nature of the internet providing both a platform for promotion but also ridicule, the role of the commentator is very different.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Vinegar is pretty overpowering, even to humans, so don’t overdo it.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And the staggering surplus figure is also testament to the country’s rapid climb to dominate green technologies like EVs, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels, as well as its prowess in making machinery and tech products at scale.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
15 Jan. 2026
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That comes out to a staggering cost of $250 per EBT customer, per week.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Scenario two is that Harbaugh is leveraging the Giants’ rabid interest but ultimately could take a different job, devastating this desperate fan base.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected.—
Jake Scott,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Trump opened the session with a lengthy spiel suggesting that the spigots of Venezuelan oil would soon be open, flooding the market with cheap petroleum for the benefit of American taxpayers, Venezuelan citizens and big oil companies.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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For some, the helicopters flying overhead and protesters flooding the streets this week felt hauntingly familiar.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Then, a quick stint under the broiler crisps the edges, creating that irresistible combo of golden, crunchy exteriors and tender, middles.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Les Gaufres de Chamonix has been serving irresistible waffles from a humble hut since 1965.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And this love makes violence and injustice unacceptable.—
Bao Phi,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In a county of nearly 2 million residents, this is simply unacceptable.—
Nan Rich,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In the box score, Robinson’s day was stupendous with 195 yards on 22 carries as well as five catches for 34 yards and his two touchdowns.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Steier’s clear writing and stupendous graphics from Sara Chodosh and Taylor Maggiacomo illuminate how vaccine critics and Kennedy allies David and Mark Geier have relied on a web of shoddy science — and gives readers tools for how to not fall for the anti-vaccine playbook.—
STAT Staff,
STAT,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The team overcoming those injuries defined the season.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The search company has been on the rise after putting together the pieces for its AI comeback and overcoming key regulatory hurdles last year.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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