1
as in to overcome
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to engulf
to cover with a flood
that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwhelm
Reports and public records show that Lurie was also part of the LAPD response later in the week, including being informed that UCLA police were overwhelmed by counterprotesters on the night of April 30 — although there was a lag between those reports and requests for mutual police aid.
—
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
To score, his only move is to basically physically overwhelm his opponent at the rim.
—William Guillory, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump’s pardons went to people who did not act violently on Jan. 6 when his supporters overwhelmed Capitol Police and entered the building, forcing the evaculation of lawmakers certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
In games where one of the top two lines didn’t just overwhelm the opponent, the lack of offensive depth became more noticeable.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overwhelm 
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
To score, his only move is to basically physically overwhelm his opponent at the rim.
—William Guillory, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump’s pardons went to people who did not act violently on Jan. 6 when his supporters overwhelmed Capitol Police and entered the building, forcing the evaculation of lawmakers certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
In games where one of the top two lines didn’t just overwhelm the opponent, the lack of offensive depth became more noticeable.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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When this stress overcomes the strength of the rock to create a fault, or the friction along existing fault planes, the ground slips—releasing waves of energy.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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Making the playoffs and maybe even surprising in them would be Miami’s greatest statement of resolve and flex of Heat Culture — to have overcome the capital-D distraction and drama that might have detonated this season.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Brian McShea and Stephanie Raynor, who had a home in the Altadena neighborhood that was engulfed in flames by the Eaton Fire, lost everything in a blink of an eye.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
27 Jan. 2025
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Just a few hours later, flames had engulfed almost every home on their block.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In the same month that multiple fires devastated Los Angeles County, the Border 2 Fire sparked and set over 6,000 acres ablaze in San Diego County, prompting more evacuation orders, according to officials.—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
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Overnight, a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Malibu, where homes and businesses were destroyed by the Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes to devastate Los Angeles County this month.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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High Valley Veterinary Clinic floods but remains open During the recent power outages in Ramona, the High Valley Veterinary Clinic was flooded, requiring the entire hospital to be remodeled, according to owner and veterinarian Matthew Gilbert.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
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Bales of hay, medications for the animals, feed, and other donations have flooded to the shelter, and a GoFundMe launched to rebuild Jigsaw Farms.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But at the last minute, Israeli authorities delayed the mission, Jordanian authorities tell CNN – a crushing surprise for her family and doctors.—
Jomana Karadsheh,
CNN,
31 Jan. 2025
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Just this Sunday, President Donald Trump slapped a crushing 25 percent 'emergency tariff' on Colombia for blocking deportation flights.—
Isabel Schatzschneideris,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Want to build an idyllic life for your Sims, or drown one of them in a freak pool accident?—
Susan Stone,
NPR,
1 Feb. 2025
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Leaving seeds in the water too long can drown the plant embryo and cause the seeds to rot.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to overwhelm
Thesaurus Entries Near overwhelm
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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