1
as in teeming
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1
as in spilling
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flooding
to cover with a flood
the swollen river overflowed the surrounding land and washed several houses away
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3
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
a magazine that usually overflows with home-repair tips for the do-it-yourselfer
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of overflowing
Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
And Zermatt itself also has pockets of traditional charm, with streets lined with chalet after chalet and overflowing flower boxes.
—Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
JPMorgan has even needed to lease additional space to facilitate staffers’ return, renting several floors in the former Credit Suisse office close to the US lender’s overflowing European headquarters.
—Jack Sidders, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
So there Wilson went toward the overflowing Aces’ bench.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The more unexpected takeaway was the show's graphic depiction of an overflowing toilet as the climax of the episode, which was set on Thanksgiving Day.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a popular playground.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Whether you’re gone for a long weekend or for a few months, overflowing mail can signal to burglars that your home is sitting empty.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026
The latest example of burgeoning opposition to rapid data-center development in Pennsylvania came at a town hall meeting overflowing with frustration about how the state is managing the surge.
—ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Check for plumbing leaks, overflowing HVAC drip pans and foundation cracks that allow water or humidity inside, and fix the problem to prevent future moisture issues.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Use a dish that’s large enough to keep food from overflowing and spilling onto the oven floor.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Like the comics, Bernthal’s Punisher was a loose-cannon, gun-toting vigilante overflowing with grief from the shocking murders of his wife and children.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 May 2026
Trendy Queen Eyelet Embroidered Top, $20 Gap was one of the early adopters of the eyelet and lace trend this spring, which is why the site is practically overflowing with breezy, lightweight tops begging to be added to your suitcase.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
One of the most emotional pieces is a treasure chest overflowing with jewelry.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Adjective
One of Cash’s interests, carried over from Earth Angel, her 2023 debut book of short stories, is an overflowing index of animal references.
—Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
And Zermatt itself also has pockets of traditional charm, with streets lined with chalet after chalet and overflowing flower boxes.
—Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
JPMorgan has even needed to lease additional space to facilitate staffers’ return, renting several floors in the former Credit Suisse office close to the US lender’s overflowing European headquarters.
—Jack Sidders, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
So there Wilson went toward the overflowing Aces’ bench.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The more unexpected takeaway was the show's graphic depiction of an overflowing toilet as the climax of the episode, which was set on Thanksgiving Day.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a popular playground.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
From Marner to William Karlsson, Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, Shea Theodore, Noah Hanifin and others, Vegas is overflowing with defensively responsible skaters who have an aptitude for smart decisions in key moments.
—Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Whether you’re gone for a long weekend or for a few months, overflowing mail can signal to burglars that your home is sitting empty.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 15 May 2026
The latest example of burgeoning opposition to rapid data-center development in Pennsylvania came at a town hall meeting overflowing with frustration about how the state is managing the surge.
—ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
Check for plumbing leaks, overflowing HVAC drip pans and foundation cracks that allow water or humidity inside, and fix the problem to prevent future moisture issues.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Use a dish that’s large enough to keep food from overflowing and spilling onto the oven floor.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Like the comics, Bernthal’s Punisher was a loose-cannon, gun-toting vigilante overflowing with grief from the shocking murders of his wife and children.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 May 2026
Trendy Queen Eyelet Embroidered Top, $20 Gap was one of the early adopters of the eyelet and lace trend this spring, which is why the site is practically overflowing with breezy, lightweight tops begging to be added to your suitcase.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
One of the most emotional pieces is a treasure chest overflowing with jewelry.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflowing
Adjective
-
The new findings are confounding scientists’ expectations, raising questions about how exactly molecules can encounter their reactive partners in a teeming, crowded space — and therefore how cells can possibly function.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The same cities experience infrastructure that is simultaneously overloaded and underloaded depending on the day of the week.—
Chase Garbarino,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
-
The combination of an overloaded schedule, international travel and shortened preparation time increasingly produces mediocre matchups in premium television windows.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The sprawling residence has eight bedrooms, each with a private bath and many spilling open to Aegean-facing patios.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
15 May 2026
-
During Juneteenth weekend, the neighborhood feels less like a district and more like an open invitation — murals, pop-ups, and installations spilling into storefronts and sidewalks, with artists and visitors drifting in and out of shared space.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Now that oil prices are surging from the conflict with Iran, money is flooding into the state treasury and creating an uncomfortable situation for Democrats who oppose the war and would rather reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.—
Morgan Lee,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
-
Later that summer, lingering moisture from Tropical Storm Mario contributed to flooding rains across portions of the southwestern United States on September 17-18, the hurricane center concluded in its post-storm report.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Nobody’s certain how many visitors will materialize for the anniversary year, but the shop is bursting with merchandise.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
From fresh guacamole to flavorful enchiladas, everything is made with care and bursting with flavor.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hilton and Becerra have been neck and neck in recent June primary polls, often leading a crowded field of gubernatorial candidates.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Curated by Our Editors In the latter outbreak, a person who was likely infected by a rodent and had fever symptoms attended a crowded birthday party with around 100 other people for 90 minutes.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some even require dedicated facilities, leading to inflated costs.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
-
The new movie, by contrast, is an inflated meditation on fiction and reality.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Some fails stem from people overfilling the molds.—
Lisa Gutierrez
April 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 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
“Overflowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflowing. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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