1
as in to overcome
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 to engulf
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
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Recent Examples of overwhelm
Instead, with the tariffs in place, worries about an impending recession have overwhelmed any positive benefit for the greenback.
—
Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Flooding overwhelms homes and roads, leading to multiple water rescues
Authorities in West Plains in southern Missouri carried out as many as a half a dozen water rescues as of late Friday, according to CNN affiliate KY3.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
And for the most part, a young defense wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
But the country’s hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed by patients necessitating medical care.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Flooding overwhelms homes and roads, leading to multiple water rescues
Authorities in West Plains in southern Missouri carried out as many as a half a dozen water rescues as of late Friday, according to CNN affiliate KY3.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
And for the most part, a young defense wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
But the country’s hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed by patients necessitating medical care.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
-
Both Banchero and Wagner, who started alongside Cory Joseph, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Wendell Carter Jr., were able to overcome the defensive attention from the Kings and attack the basket with ease.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2025
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Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward overcoming them.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In the first, the sheepdog appears engulfed by a thick coat of long white fur, his face nearly obscured by the shaggy mass.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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The ad featured the artist in his studio, struggling with a piece of artwork, when suddenly, the entire room is engulfed in white paint, covering both his paintings and him.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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When Hurricane Milton ripped through Tampa Bay on October 9, less than two weeks had passed since Hurricane Helene struck the same area, and the region was devastated.—
Chad Jennings,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
This decision devastated Ajax, whose honor and ego were deeply wounded.—
Antonis Kocheilas,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While fans flooded his comments with well-wishes, the rapper’s message was clear: stay vigilant, because health is nothing to play with.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Salvage and cleanup work will continue this weekend as volunteers from nearby communities flood Moundville for a cleanup day to help the Botts and others impacted by the tornado.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Crockett has faced significant backlash for the remarks about Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who was paralyzed from the waist down in 1984 after being crushed by an oak tree while jogging.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
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Conine’s crushing solo home run to left center field in the eighth inning tied the score and set the stage for the Marlins’ 13th walk-off win since the start of 2024 — most in the majors.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And the public is left drowning in a sea of hot takes and half-truths, trying to make sense of what—if anything—actually matters.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
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His younger brother Wesley drowned in a swimming pool in 1977, an event that haunted Kilmer for years afterward.—
The New York Times,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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