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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overflow
Grace Huckins, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2025
In remarks to an overflow room of supporters at the Capitol, Trump referenced topics he wasn’t supposed to include in his more formal address, such as plans to pardon Jan. 6 defendants and criticisms of critics like former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Food Drink Life, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2025
Hot Springs is overflowing with scenic views and unique activities.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Noun
On the first morning of Doc, an exclusive health and longevity event that convened its inaugural meeting this past October, scoring a caffeine hit required navigating a human obstacle course that had sprung up in the overflow tent.
—Grace Huckins, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2025
In remarks to an overflow room of supporters at the Capitol, Trump referenced topics he wasn’t supposed to include in his more formal address, such as plans to pardon Jan. 6 defendants and criticisms of critics like former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.).
—Brett Samuels, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
Home pages are overflowing with tutorials on everything, from making your own kombucha to crafting the perfect kimchi fried rice.
—Food Drink Life, Boston Herald, 22 Feb. 2025
Hot Springs is overflowing with scenic views and unique activities.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflow
Noun
-
But Storey’s post struck a chord, garnering more than 22 million views and a flood of comments.—
Kristen Mascia,
Parents,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Rescinding congestion pricing’s approval now would potentially violate the Administrative Procedure Act and certainly invite a flood of legal challenges.—
Betsy Plum,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For example, imports and exports create a trade deficit or surplus, which affects the amount of U.S. debt and property owned by foreign entities, which in turn affects the federal government’s financial strength.—
Mike Patton,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The probe revealed that the village's general fund had diminished from a $5.6 million surplus in 2022 to a $3.6 million deficit in 2024, raising concerns about questionable credit card purchases and a lack of financial accountability.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
When Mohammed Shami spilled a caught and bowled attempt off his leading edge with the first legitimate ball of the match, Indian fears of a century of carnage multiplied.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Then, in September, 1885, in Rock Springs, the fury spilled over.—
Michael Luo,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Upon arrival, officials found that both the vehicle and part of the home were engulfed in flames.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The album’s engulfing calm, she’s said, was partly inspired by a series of diving ventures in Japan’s Ryukyu Archipelago.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Recycled beads turn into jewelry bursting with color.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Plant these flowers from seed to have a garden bursting with color.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But for those unwilling to venture out to see the movie, Forbes reported, the temptation to find leaks and torrents apparently became hard to resist.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
7 Mar. 2025
-
In marrying into, then blowing the whistle on, the British monarchy, Meghan has both inspired love and hope and fangirls and been targeted with hate, including a torrent of racist, sexist abuse from the British tabloids and gross commentary from President Trump.—
Michelle Ruiz,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Cook salmon: Remove salmon from marinade, discarding excess.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
-
For the past three seasons, the series has revealed the quirks, impulses, excesses, dysfunctions, nuances and eccentricities of the wealthy against the backdrop of a luxury resort chain and its not-so faceless employees.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In this new age of college basketball, with the transfer portal overfilled every year and Name, Image and Likeness money putting so much flexibility into the players’ hands, Rice knows the game is changing.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Keep in Mind Planters overfill easily in heavy rain and there’s not an easy way to drain excess water.—
Rachel Ahrnsen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflow. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share