1
as in devastated
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in flooded
to cover with a flood
that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bewildered
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 overwhelmed
Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
The 2021 heat dome in the Pacific Northwest that overwhelmed emergency rooms and left hundreds dead.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
Lauren Morrow
september 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
Eventually, these movements overwhelmed what was left of a decaying state.
—Celeste A. Wallander, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Verb
Among the first to FaceTime the overwhelmed 16-year-old?
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
The 2021 heat dome in the Pacific Northwest that overwhelmed emergency rooms and left hundreds dead.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
In my debut novel, Little Movements, the protagonist, Layla, is overwhelmed by these truths when she’s selected to be the choreographer-in-residence at a prestigious arts institution in rural Vermont.
—Lauren Morrow
september 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
Eventually, these movements overwhelmed what was left of a decaying state.
—Celeste A. Wallander, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed
Verb
-
Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Tracy Dorland said she was devastated and angry about the shooting.—
Katie Langford,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
June’s death in May 2003 left the music legend devastated.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The following spring, another storm hit and their basement flooded.—
Lizzie Kane,
Boston Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Pushing through the motley crew of intimidatingly stylish partygoers outside the entrance, who had flooded the corner of East Broadway and Rutgers, was a visceral sign of all of the above.—
Alex Catarinella,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Everybody seems bewildered by this news, his own wife most of all.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Layered in cream, bruised, bewildered, bald.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Most recently, the 2022 Cincinnati Bengals, 2023 Houston Texans, and 2024 Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams all overcame 0-2 starts to win their respective divisions and advance in the playoffs.—
Mark LaSota,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Particularly so after the Broncos overcame a third-and-15 with a 19-yard screen to Tyler Badie that set them up at midfield.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The lodging market’s foreclosure and loan delinquency woes have engulfed hotels in Oakland, San Francisco and downtown San Jose, although problems have also surfaced for hotels in Berkeley, Newark, Pleasanton and Pleasant Hill.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The docuseries initially picked up steam after debuting at SXSW in 2024 and was engulfed by Starz.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In Liverpool’s second game against Newcastle, the shape was the same as Gakpo retreated alongside Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch in their staggered shape.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
What To Know The RMT has scheduled staggered walkouts from Sunday through Thursday that will affect different staff groups on different days.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
See the best and worst moments of the night — and spare a thought for the actresses whose ribcages were crushed in the name of fashion — in our roundup of the highs, lows and yikes of the Emmys.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
-
With one out in the sixth, Johnston crushed his first homer of the night into the upper deck to tie the game at three.—
Isaac Azout,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In 2007, Black’s teenage brother Miguel Payne drowned at a local lake.—
Cara Anthony,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In 2007, Black’s teenage brother Miguel Payne drowned at a local lake.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelmed. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share