as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the news so whelmed them that they were stunned into silence
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whelm
Of all the underwhelming parts of this underwhelming finale of an underwhelming season, the final immunity challenge did not leave me whelmed.
—
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 21 Aug. 2025
You’ll definitely be whelmed by the legit chemistry between Kat and Patrick, rebel teens who steal the show with their sweetness and dazzling wits.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 May 2023
Its reputation is built on the backs of 3-series gone by, as this is the first ever 3 to merely whelm us.
—Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 26 July 2017
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2025
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2025
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war.
—Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 21 Aug. 2025
You’ll definitely be whelmed by the legit chemistry between Kat and Patrick, rebel teens who steal the show with their sweetness and dazzling wits.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 12 May 2023
Its reputation is built on the backs of 3-series gone by, as this is the first ever 3 to merely whelm us.
—Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 26 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whelm
Verb
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Visitors would stand in awe as their senses were overwhelmed by colorful images and animations displayed in coordinated displays over multiple, large, flat-screen TVs.—
Jan Wagner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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But for families with young kids, there is one cost that overwhelms almost everything else — child care.—
Liam Stanton,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Freshman Anthony Ali Nayab scored six of his nine points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 25 seconds to play, and Cathedral Catholic overcame an 11-point deficit and edged Mira Mesa 47-45 on Tuesday night in a key Western League game.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
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The researchers do note that Veronika’s environment may have played a role in her skillful use of a tool to overcome limitations.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mel Brooks said the murders of Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer would have devastated Carl Reiner, the director’s late father and Brooks’ longtime close friend and comedy partner.—
David Matthews,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Neighbors on the road were devastated to see the fire.—
Samantha Chaney,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelm. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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