1
as in overcomes
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in engulfs
to cover with a flood
that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwhelms
Additionally, some of the visual scenery projected behind and above the set doesn’t always embrace but overwhelms the acting below.
—
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
In practice, fluent dialogue quickly overwhelms reflective distance.
—Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Aggressive training overwhelms healing tissue.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
For the characters, the love itself overwhelms every other consideration of feeling.
—New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
What overwhelms her isn’t the wedding itself, but the realization that her lifelong role as Lexi’s default person is about to shift.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
But for families with young kids, there is one cost that overwhelms almost everything else — child care.
—Liam Stanton, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
The agency projected about a 1% chance of ordering rolling blackouts in January and February as a last-resort move to keep the system from failing when demand overwhelms supply.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
Exposure to untreated sewage, which can enter homes by backing up through plumbing or via flood when rainwater overwhelms sewer systems, can cause illness.
—Tammy Webber, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 18 Feb. 2026
In practice, fluent dialogue quickly overwhelms reflective distance.
—Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Aggressive training overwhelms healing tissue.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
For the characters, the love itself overwhelms every other consideration of feeling.
—New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
What overwhelms her isn’t the wedding itself, but the realization that her lifelong role as Lexi’s default person is about to shift.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
But for families with young kids, there is one cost that overwhelms almost everything else — child care.
—Liam Stanton, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
The agency projected about a 1% chance of ordering rolling blackouts in January and February as a last-resort move to keep the system from failing when demand overwhelms supply.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
Exposure to untreated sewage, which can enter homes by backing up through plumbing or via flood when rainwater overwhelms sewer systems, can cause illness.
—Tammy Webber, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelms
Verb
-
LithSonic overcomes this challenge by using supersonic flow, similar to the conditions inside a rocket engine, to achieve ultra-rapid cooling through a process known as shock quenching.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
-
After a sluggish start, Texas overcomes a 14-point deficit to tie the game before OU's Xzayvier Brown hits a 3-pointer to give his team the halftime lead.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kyiv residents endure long daily blackouts as Russia devastates the power system, leaving tower block dwellers freezing in apartments with no heat or light.—
Derek Gatopoulos,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Exacerbating the problem, unpredictable rainfall cycling between drought and floods further devastates the region.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The floating center console creates handbag storage and an available dual pane sunroof floods the cabin with light.—
Scotty Reiss,
Parents,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The title floods the screen, in lavishly flowing script, a whopping 49 minutes into this 108-minute neo-noir, not far off the halfway mark.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
It is governed by a brutal regime that oppresses its people and is an enemy to the United States.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
His policies have been instrumental in dismantling the criminal enterprise that oppresses the Venezuelan people.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After 81 nearly drowns during an underwater drill, the regiment leaders (played by Dennis Quaid and Esai Morales) express concern that his PTSD from losing his brother might put him at risk or affect the team.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
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When Christina drowns herself for a second time, Baron Frankenstein is confronted by the unpredictability of stitching together dead flesh—his female creation is capable of reckoning with her past suffering.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelms. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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