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
An emergency relief program for businesses was immediately overwhelmed by demand.
—
Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2025
The hour unfolds through a big location, features dozens of extras, and its focus keeps shifting between the cops, the teachers, and various groups of students who are having wildly disparate responses to the murder, from overwhelming grief to juvenile amusement.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
In fact, almost half of those parents polled reported a sense of overwhelming stress on most days, compared with 26 percent of other adults.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
During rainstorms, runoff sometimes overwhelms the plant’s sewage treatment system, dumping a mixture of sewage and storm runoff directly into the Pacific Ocean – an event known as a combined sewer overflow.
—Robin Kundis Craig, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2025
The hour unfolds through a big location, features dozens of extras, and its focus keeps shifting between the cops, the teachers, and various groups of students who are having wildly disparate responses to the murder, from overwhelming grief to juvenile amusement.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2025
In fact, almost half of those parents polled reported a sense of overwhelming stress on most days, compared with 26 percent of other adults.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
During rainstorms, runoff sometimes overwhelms the plant’s sewage treatment system, dumping a mixture of sewage and storm runoff directly into the Pacific Ocean – an event known as a combined sewer overflow.
—Robin Kundis Craig, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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The plethora of pixels can’t overcome a noise-prone sensor, though, and its picture tends to be soft.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
19 Mar. 2025
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Professionals can take control of their careers by overcoming these challenges and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In 2015, a crowded nightclub in Bucharest, Romania was engulfed in flames after pyrotechnics were set off during a concert, killing 64 people.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN,
16 Mar. 2025
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One thing led to another, and in a matter of just a minute, the side of the house was engulfed by flames.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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The Asheville area was devastated in September by Hurricane Helene, with thousands of people displaced and businesses destroyed or temporarily closed.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Or that people would flood his feed with recommendations for other places to try.—
Sara Murphy,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2025
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These floor-to-ceiling windows flood the home with natural light and frame breathtaking water views.—
Karen A. Avitabile,
Hartford Courant,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Locals can try the Costa Brava, which contains clams, crab, pancetta, tomatoes, crushed chili and lemon.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
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But that still left the question of how to cover the crushing fees of a major health problem like cancer.—
Alana Semuels,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The concertina wire installed by the state prevented agents from getting to immigrants, including in situations where immigrants attempting to cross were drowning in the river.—
Anna Giaritelli,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
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This blends well with many skin tones, not drowning out paler skin tones as brighter reds might do.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to overwhelm
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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