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
Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The parking plan requires the church to provide a shuttle bus to an overflow site to manage excess cars.
—Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
Best Clothing Deals The first step on any packing list is clothes, and Amazon’s Presidents Day sale is already overflowing with travel-ready pieces for Prime members.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Noun
Around 100 men prayed in an overflow room in the mosque’s gymnasium.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
The parking plan requires the church to provide a shuttle bus to an overflow site to manage excess cars.
—Marie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Available online, this generously sized Valentine’s Day gift basket is overflowing with caramel apples and confections, including chocolate and caramel pretzel rods, white chocolate mini pretzel twists, assorted caramels, and milk chocolate raspberry bark.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
Best Clothing Deals The first step on any packing list is clothes, and Amazon’s Presidents Day sale is already overflowing with travel-ready pieces for Prime members.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflow
Noun
-
During heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The New Colgate Powerhouse went online in 1969 as part of the New Bullards Bar project, a multipurpose hydroelectric and flood control system built for Yuba County after the devastating Christmas flood of 1955.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Trade deficits and foreign investment surplus show voluntary market transactions from which each party expects to benefit, or the transactions would not occur.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
-
This spike, a bit higher than Swanson expected, is the result of a global surplus fading and import levels returning to normal.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
One resulted from an altercation with the Lakers’ LeBron James in 2021 and another from an altercation that spilled into the stands during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves last year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Traffic is being diverted off Interstate 595 in Davie after fuel began to spill from a truck involved in a crash that forced officials to shut down westbound lanes of the highway on Wednesday morning, according to officials.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Speaking to journalists in Riyadh ahead of Prince William’s visit to Saudi Arabia later Monday, the spokesperson shared for the first time the couple’s view of the crisis that has engulfed the palace and UK parliament in recent weeks.—
Max Foster,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
When first responders arrived, the home was fully engulfed.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Others expel water from their cells to prevent the freeze-thaw cycle from bursting cell walls.—
Alex Kuffner,
The Providence Journal,
14 Feb. 2026
-
After the penstock burst Friday, a technical rescue team from the Cal Fire Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit was called to the powerhouse, which is located below Lake Francis about 4½ miles from New Bullards Bar Reservoir and 2½ miles from Dobbins.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As the episodes rolled out, Underwood started receiving a torrent of online bullying.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
-
So long as Baldwin stayed healthy — perhaps an assumption Anthopoulos has no interest in making after last year’s torrent of injuries — a backup catcher might not play much in the team’s first 45 or so games.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While plenty of flashy tropical cocktails anchor the menu, Sumrall’s favorite libation leans more into 1920s excess.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Mountainhead is one of HBO’s best original films and comes courtesy of writer-director Jesse Armstrong, one of the premier satirists of our age, having lampooned the world of media excess during Succession’s four seasons.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Alesia overfilled the pans, which means the muffins look atrocious.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
To reduce ice crystal formation and freezer burn, use airtight packaging and avoid overfilling the freezer so air can circulate properly.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflow. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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