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
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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
Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Both women occasionally smiled through their tears, telegraphing poise and control more than an overflowing inner joy.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
The verdict In a city overflowing with grandeur, Bvlgari Hotel Roma manages to carve out its own distinct identity.
—Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
Every product category on the site is overflowing with incredible deals, but sorting through them can be tough.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Musically, the singer-songwriter presents us with 13 tracks of sonic elegance, featuring electronic touches and mesmerizing guitars that convey nostalgia while also reflecting the overflowing joy of someone who has overcome an emotional crisis.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 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
Storm water can contain harmful pathogens and pollutants from overflowing sewage systems and animal feces flowing into storm drains.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Hourslong airport waits and crowds overflowing the terminal and spilling out onto the sidewalk greeted travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport early Monday morning, as a partial government shutdown leaves airport security checkpoints understaffed.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 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
Recently, there was an overflowing plate of wild, peppery arugula with a gardens worth of fresh herbs and colorful flowers tangled with spring peas.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
Both women occasionally smiled through their tears, telegraphing poise and control more than an overflowing inner joy.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
The verdict In a city overflowing with grandeur, Bvlgari Hotel Roma manages to carve out its own distinct identity.
—Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
Every product category on the site is overflowing with incredible deals, but sorting through them can be tough.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Musically, the singer-songwriter presents us with 13 tracks of sonic elegance, featuring electronic touches and mesmerizing guitars that convey nostalgia while also reflecting the overflowing joy of someone who has overcome an emotional crisis.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 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
Storm water can contain harmful pathogens and pollutants from overflowing sewage systems and animal feces flowing into storm drains.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 24 Mar. 2026
Hourslong airport waits and crowds overflowing the terminal and spilling out onto the sidewalk greeted travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport early Monday morning, as a partial government shutdown leaves airport security checkpoints understaffed.
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 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
-
An indoor fire near The Alley at Latta Arcade that caused $5,000 in damages on Tuesday night was due to an overloaded electrical device, a Charlotte Fire Department spokesperson said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
For example, the robot can identify potential safety hazards, such as an unstable pallet or an overloaded shelf, and report them so the issues are addressed.—
Liam Rappleye,
USA Today,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Two days before travel specialist Amanda Poses’ clients, a family of four with two young teens, were scheduled to land in Dubai for vacation, violence from the Iran war began spilling over into the United Arab Emirates.—
Laura Bassett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Textiles were everywhere at Frieze Los Angeles—spilling across walls, stitched into sculpture, and, in one case, reimagined as a vintage carpet bazaar tucked inside a standard-issue gallery booth at the Santa Monica Airport, the fair’s cavernous venue.—
Lauren Mechling,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The American Jewish community responded to the Yom Kippur War, which killed nearly three thousand Israeli soldiers, by flooding Israel with donations; doctors and students volunteered to join the war effort.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The roots hold fast to mud and soil, reducing erosion and absorbing the power of storm surge to protect inland areas from flooding.—
Ryan Kellman,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the dotcom era, the economists explained, the economy reflected the latter scenario, where gains failed to show, bursting the bubble.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Lendeborg today feels like an overnight sensation, bursting on the scene in his maize-and-blue out of nowhere.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The five lines, explained An Ichimoku cloud chart can look crowded.—
Karl Montevirgen,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
San Jose holds the second wild-card spot in the crowded Western Conference, with Nashville and Los Angeles even in points but each with one more game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Trekking guides and their businesses get a boost from inflated invoices, the outlet suggested.—
Alex Nitzberg,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
However, California’s petroleum market watchdog is warning that some of the inflated price may be due to price gouging, my colleague Blanca Begert reports.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 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 5 Apr. 2026.
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