as in overwhelming
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the news so whelmed them that they were stunned into silence
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whelming
Verb
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The goal is a home that feels warm and welcoming, with just enough personality to stand out—without overwhelming the block.—
Lauren Jones,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026 -
The monochromatic black palette allows all these bold elements to coexist without overwhelming the look.—
Shelby Comroe,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bass, politically bruised over her handling of last year’s devastating Palisades fire, now faces an insurgent campaign from one of the City Council’s savviest players.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For me, Gregg’s incredible voice resonates not just in his music but in his humanity, in overcoming the murder of his father, the early death of his brother Duane, and his personal demons.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
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The first step to overcoming a fear of abandonment can look like opening up to your partner about your concerns.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Whelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whelming. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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