1
as in overpowering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in crushing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in staggering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in devastating
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in flooding
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 overwhelming
Jana Pollack, Parents, 27 May 2025
My overwhelming focus on things and certain patterns.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 May 2025
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Adjective
And in those overwhelming moments of chaos, toxic parenting patterns that were present in our own childhoods—or even ones that have existed for generations within our families—can emerge.
—Jana Pollack, Parents, 27 May 2025
My overwhelming focus on things and certain patterns.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 May 2025
Verb
White corn is particularly popular among craft distilleries, as the mild flavor of its whiskeys allows other mash bill components, such as rye or barley, and the influence of barrel aging to shine without overwhelming the palate.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
Some popular online sites might be difficult to access or overwhelming for some age groups to navigate, but a physical card for a physical store could be a better fit.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
Adjective
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Many companies are seeing staggering improvements in their productivity and meaningful reductions in their operational costs simply by leveraging the power of AI in their processes.—
Chris Brown,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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That brings total earnings since the deal to just under $2 billion — a staggering figure.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Verb
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The race is technically nonpartisan but has become a de facto partisan contest, with millions of dollars flooding in from billionaire donors and outside special interest groups.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Mar. 2025
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And in so doing, that familiar feeling of hope and optimism has come flooding back for Bears fans, who just three months ago were again left downtrodden and dejected during an abysmal 10-game losing streak.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Blue Bell’s Cookie Cake Ice Cream combines two irresistible treats into a pint-sized delight sure to thrill anyone with a sweet tooth.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
29 May 2025
-
Network, comment and inquire because the irresistible urge to share what’s on your mind is strong.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
The first project yields too many false positives, introducing an unacceptable amount of friction into the consumer experience.—
Shazia Manus,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
But Humane Society officials insist any cut over $1 million is unacceptable and will prompt the nonprofit to stop providing service to the city.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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There was also one stupendous line leading from it...—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2025
-
The stupendous tree trunk jutting up through the middle?—
Anya von Bremzen,
AFAR Media,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Their boyfriends, meanwhile, suffer the painful indignities of paper cutters, buzzsaws, and other sharp objects.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
Advertisement Advertisement There is a long and painful history of antisemitism being treated as an afterthought—even in spaces devoted to human rights and justice.—
Jay Rosenzweig,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Each pits a young heroine of humble means against the formidable, possibly sinister lady of the estate; this time, that quintessential Nicole Kidman role is played by a serenely terrifying Julianne Moore.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 May 2025
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Selling a descent from stress into a state of devastation that can never be shed (only briefly reprised) is the formidable actress Parinaz Izadyar.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The younger of the two, Bella, is unscathed; her sister had jumped into a pool to rescue her and ended up drowning herself.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner released its official report on Carter's death on April 18, 2023, attributing his cause of death to drowning after inhaling difluoroethane and taking alprazolam, the generic form of brand-name Xanax.—
Johnny Dodd,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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