as in dominating
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control
the overpowering of much of Europe by the Nazis during World War II
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in irresistible
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in subduing
to bring under one's control by force of arms
the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overwhelming
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
overpowered by fear of the unknown
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overpowering
Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 13 Mar. 2025
Think of it like a duet, where both brands should enhance each other without overpowering.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Simplify with grays Designer Krista Nye Nicholas introduces curvy mosaics to bring interest without overpowering the rest of the bathroom design.
—Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2025
Gifting buildable yet never-overpowering color, up to 24 hours of hydration, and a kissable shine, the lightweight formula is perfect for applying on the move or carefully and methodically before a big night out.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 4 Mar. 2025
Verlander, 42, not only struck out Level, 17, on three pitches, but pitched him backwards, too, starting Level off with a changeup before dumping in a curveball and overpowering him with a fastball.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
But Strong channels the spirit of people like Jack Nicholson and James Cagney in overpowering all our dumb assumptions about naturalism and authenticity.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Don’t worry—our tester says the fragrance isn’t overpowering in the slightest.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 12 Feb. 2025
The Panthers fought to bring the Stanley Cup to South Florida for the first time in franchise history, ultimately overpowering the Oilers in an electrifying Game 7.
—Jose Iglesias, Matias Ocner, David Santiago, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Fresh Linen scent is light and refreshing, leaving clothes smelling clean without being overpowering.
—Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 13 Mar. 2025
Think of it like a duet, where both brands should enhance each other without overpowering.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Simplify with grays Designer Krista Nye Nicholas introduces curvy mosaics to bring interest without overpowering the rest of the bathroom design.
—Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2025
Gifting buildable yet never-overpowering color, up to 24 hours of hydration, and a kissable shine, the lightweight formula is perfect for applying on the move or carefully and methodically before a big night out.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 4 Mar. 2025
Verlander, 42, not only struck out Level, 17, on three pitches, but pitched him backwards, too, starting Level off with a changeup before dumping in a curveball and overpowering him with a fastball.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2025
But Strong channels the spirit of people like Jack Nicholson and James Cagney in overpowering all our dumb assumptions about naturalism and authenticity.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Don’t worry—our tester says the fragrance isn’t overpowering in the slightest.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 12 Feb. 2025
The Panthers fought to bring the Stanley Cup to South Florida for the first time in franchise history, ultimately overpowering the Oilers in an electrifying Game 7.
—Jose Iglesias, Matias Ocner, David Santiago, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering
Adjective
-
Blanks in the historical record such as these are irresistible to a novelist!—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
6 June 2025
-
While your products may not be in a blind box, consider how to create an experience for your customers that makes capturing and sharing it on social media irresistible.—
Chelsea Tobin,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Outside cash is dominating the special election for a new county supervisor in the South Bay.—
Andrew Keatts,
Axios,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Vancouver, meanwhile, fell short against the New York Rangers, despite thoroughly dominating play and out-chancing the struggling Rangers by a brutally lopsided margin.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
That’s overwhelming even for the most experienced investor.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2025
-
An adventurous mix of fabrics brings warmth to the primary suite, without overwhelming the space.—
Kristen Flanagan,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Bernal as a despotic and at times deluded Magellan persuades the Spanish Crown to fund his bold 16th century expedition to the fabled lands of the East, only to unleash a decade of devastation wreaked by European conquistadors in the Pacific as part of colonial conquests.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
-
Following his armies’ conquest of Constantinople in 1453, Ottoman sultan Mehmed II famously transformed the Hagia Sophia, built as a Christian church, into a mosque.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
For a minute in the 1990s, Failure seemed destined for world domination.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
3 June 2025
-
As the 2024-25 season kicked off last August, Madrid appeared set for another spell of domination.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Verb
-
Is there not a single executive somewhere at Netflix to greenlight a fresh retelling of the core Hanukkah story of pride, miracles, and determined guerilla warfare against a conquering despot?—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Then English speakers began conquering Celtic, Native American, African, Australian and other peoples, pressuring or forcing them to give up their languages.—
Ross Perlin,
The Dial,
14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Mannie Fresh’s space bloops paired with the Hot Boys’ colorful bars were just too infectious to be ignored.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
-
Their enthusiasm for each other is infectious, a mischievous, brotherly energy that shines through even on a Zoom call.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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