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
Shepard, a first-time All-Star, has been an overwhelming success in her Dallas debut. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Where to grab a beer There are an overwhelming number of breweries in Charlotte. — Evan Moore july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Verb
The goal is finding a sustainable rhythm where work and personal responsibilities can coexist without one consistently overwhelming the other. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Rich magenta heels and sculptural gold accessories bring enough contrast to make the entire look feel fashion-forward without overwhelming it. — Corein Carter, Forbes.com, 20 July 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
  • While Barnes' final outing for the Dodgers proved costly, evaluators have long viewed him as a pitcher capable of providing organizational depth despite lacking overpowering velocity.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Reliever Grant Taylor pitched two overpowering innings, striking out four while picking up the victory.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 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 research shows a staggering 571 percent gain in Italian leather accessories while Finnish bat and bee houses rose over 420 percent.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
  • On behalf of everyone at Media Res, thank you to our extraordinary crew, our staggering, glittering cast, our remarkable writers, and to our partners at Apple, Hello Sunshine and Echo Films.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of staggering
Verb
  • Pape Sarr was on the pitch for Senegal’s devastating extra-time defeat by Belgium at that same stage, but joins Bergvall as a Spurs player who had little impact on a tournament where his career — and market value — could really have used a jolt.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Following a succession of heat waves that started even before the summer, wildfires have raged across France in recent weeks, devastating large swaths of land amid record temperatures and dry weather.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of devastating
Verb
  • At some point in the mid-1850s, the river Padma suddenly carved a new path through the village of his ancestors in modern-day Bangladesh, flooding their homes and scattering them across the Indian subcontinent.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • Trump weaponized that hostility, emphasizing a narrative of Maduro flooding American streets with fentanyl and mentally ill criminals.
    — Rafael Osío Cabrices, Time, 20 July 2026
Definition of flooding
Adjective
  • In a world saturated with casual sneakers and impossible-to-walk-in heels, there’s something irresistible and exciting about shoes that prioritize comfort without sacrificing charm.
    — Alex Sales, Glamour, 24 July 2026
  • An overdue veteran with an unforgettable single sequence in a prestige juggernaut is, on paper, precisely what the Academy membership could find irresistible.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 July 2026
Definition of irresistible
Adjective
  • Tell them that their behavior is embarrassing and unacceptable.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
  • Other officials told me that, in meetings of White House staff, Finer, the deputy national-security adviser, often asked what civilian death toll would be deemed unacceptable.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • The defense has been stupendous, especially from center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela.
    — Steve Buckley, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • The mantra heading into second-quarter results is that another display of stupendous growth of 24% over a year earlier makes equities appear quite reasonably priced.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of stupendous

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Cite this Entry

“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of overwhelming for Spanish Speakers

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