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
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Recent Examples of overwhelm
In some of its endeavors, the Trump administration does appear to have a clear set of goals: to overwhelm the opposition and seize power for the executive branch.
—
Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025
Inspiration can quickly turn to overwhelm if there’s too much on your plate.
—USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Sullivan also noted that China has tried to overwhelm export controls by projecting an air of inevitability to its AI ambitions.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
Within days of the first flames, the shelter — which was overwhelmed by donations of food bowls, blankets and large crates from grateful residents — was packed to the rafters with animals.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overwhelm 
Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2025
Inspiration can quickly turn to overwhelm if there’s too much on your plate.
—USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Sullivan also noted that China has tried to overwhelm export controls by projecting an air of inevitability to its AI ambitions.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025
Within days of the first flames, the shelter — which was overwhelmed by donations of food bowls, blankets and large crates from grateful residents — was packed to the rafters with animals.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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Janis overcomes significant obstacles – embezzlement, record industry misogyny, homophobia, and heartbreak – to find love and produce an indelible body of searingly honest songs that earned her a devoted following and critical acclaim.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
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And Republicans control the Senate 53-47 – which is not a wide enough margin to overcome the 60-vote threshold needed to bypass the filibuster, meaning Republicans will need Democrats to avoid a shutdown.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Friday’s development is just the latest twist in a complicated, layered, yearslong corruption scandal that has engulfed Alameda County, its county seat, Oakland, and led to the ousting of its mayor and a district attorney.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Feb. 2025
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In the weeks following the outbreak of the Eaton and Palisades Fires, the conflagrations engulfed neighborhoods, forested canyons and chaparral—a type of shrubland.—
Anton Sorokin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
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As the fires devastated the city, some of the first aid administered to Los Angeles was provided by chefs and restaurants.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2025
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Friends began to worry, and then were devastated by the news, KATV reported.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The massive hole in the house left the basement flooded and destroyed.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
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Virgen Viera was scanning her phone for updates about the crash when photos and videos began flooding social media.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Ashton Kutcher, Grohl, Fred Armisen, and Bill Hader all reunite at Armisen’s daughter’s wedding to ride one more time — but mostly to tip over table settings, crush the wedding cake, and break poor Kenan Thompson’s tray of champagne glasses.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2025
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The Super Bowl also delivered its own shock, as the Philadelphia Eagles crushed the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in a stunning performance.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The most important thing is to drown out the noise, forget the optics, and focus on creating your most loving experience on Valentine’s Day and beyond.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
11 Feb. 2025
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In 2013, the Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano nearly drowned when a blockage in his suit’s cooling system flooded his helmet with water.—
Dhruv Khullar,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to overwhelm
Thesaurus Entries Near overwhelm
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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