1
as in flood
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
a great overflow of water from the heavy rains swept mud and silt down onto the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surplus
the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed
an overflow of help actually made the job more complicated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to flood
to flow over the brim or top of
while the wine steward stood there gawking at the nearby celebrity, my expensive champagne was overflowing its glass and pouring onto our table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to engulf
to cover with a flood
the swollen river overflowed the surrounding land and washed several houses away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overflow
Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
The room by the grand main entrance on the parlor level became Hershon’s office, and an overflow of books sealed off the door itself — which had never been used much anyway.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Mar. 2026
Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
This year’s rookie class is overflowing with talent A wave of blue-chip talent is on the way.
—D.j. Short, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Noun
Parking also will be improved, Kinney said, to help manage and reduce overflow.
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 21 Mar. 2026
The room by the grand main entrance on the parlor level became Hershon’s office, and an overflow of books sealed off the door itself — which had never been used much anyway.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Manoa Stream overflowed in several areas, and the worst flooding occurred when a flood wave tore through a residential area and into the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
This year’s rookie class is overflowing with talent A wave of blue-chip talent is on the way.
—D.j. Short, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflow
Noun
-
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Several highways connecting the capital to the provinces have been damaged by floods and landslides, forcing travelers to take long, circuitous routes to reach Kabul, Public Works Ministry spokesman Ashraf Haqshinas said Saturday.—
Abdul Qahar Afghan,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The film’s surplus of action and chase scenes follows the same rigid formula of swooping camera movements and game power-up deus ex machinas that no sequence ever proves particularly exciting.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Bryant School is just one surplus building.—
Thomas White,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Several Oahu, Kauai and Maui wastewater plants overflowed from the kona lows, spilling their contents into the ocean.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Mexico’s government reported that 800 tons of hydrocarbon-laden waste have spilled into the ocean.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Arriving crews reported that the fire had already engulfed the second floor of a vacant, two-story house and began an offensive attack on the blaze, Nolan said.—
Robert A. Cronkleton
March 30,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
-
By time deputies and firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After heavy rain, swollen streams can burst their banks, carrying mud and boulders down the mountainsides.—
NPR,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Fernandez-Pardo burst down the left flank then slipped the ball between two defenders and found the unmarked Haraldsson at the far post.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Following a torrent of criticism, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would try to partially open the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the coming days.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
What followed was a torrent of money.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Revelry Reformed Already in the Middle Ages, there existed conflict between those who partook in carnival’s excesses for a higher, spiritual purpose, and those who enjoyed themselves for enjoyment’s sake.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
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Pre-portioning baskets from the start, setting a one-treat-per-day rule after Easter morning and donating or freezing the excess are the strategies parents are actually using.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Also, be careful not to overfill a trash can, which can lead to bags breaking.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Children are not cars whose gas tanks can simply be carelessly overfilled.—
Lauren Arikan,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflow. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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