Synonyms of whelm

whelm

verb

ˈ(h)welm 

as in to overwhelm

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress

the news so whelmed them that they were stunned into silence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• overwhelm
• overcome
• devastate
• oppress
• crush
• overpower
• floor
• swamp
• drown
• grind (down)
• prostrate
• disturb
• overmaster
• rock
• snow under
• defeat
• sink
• distress
• shatter
• upset
• deluge
• throw
• refute
• stagger
• unman
• demoralize
• confute
• unnerve
• break

Example Sentences

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

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

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