overwhelmed
adjective
over·whelmed
ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)welmd 
1
: overcome by force or numbers
Some jurisdictions are so overwhelmed that they are experimenting with routing school-children into specially designed courts that would keep first-time offenders from being saddled with an arrest record.—
Gary Fields and John R. Emshwiller
Gary Fields and John R. EmshwillerOnly three Coast Guard rescue helicopters had managed to get into the air, and each was already overwhelmed by dozens of calls for help.—Christopher Cooper and Robert Block
Christopher Cooper and Robert Block"We were overwhelmed," said John Robinson, the Rams' coach. "Clearly dominated."—Paul Zimmerman
Paul Zimmerman2
: completely overcome or overpowered by thought or feeling
When he first appeared in full regalia, I was overwhelmed.—Jane Davison
Jane DavisonSuddenly he felt overwhelmed by a wash of terror.—Holly Black
Holly BlackHe finds that the institutions that might compensate for what overwhelmed parents are unable to do are themselves undermined by stingy public policies.—Lisbeth B. Schorr
Lisbeth B. SchorrExamples of overwhelmed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Growth is inevitable, but gridlock, overwhelmed city services, and disconnected communities don’t have to be.
—Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
They’re sleep-deprived, overwhelmed and managing so many responsibilities.
—Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
So, next time you’re overwhelmed by the latest climate headline, get outside, do some science and help secure a liveable future for us all.
—Brooke Kasl-Godley, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Over the past few decades, the professional world has grown more specialized, leading to complex managerial decisions that can leave even the most capable executives feeling overwhelmed.
—Maxim Sytch, Harvard Business Review, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
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Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
They’re sleep-deprived, overwhelmed and managing so many responsibilities.
—Michelle Stansbury, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
So, next time you’re overwhelmed by the latest climate headline, get outside, do some science and help secure a liveable future for us all.
—Brooke Kasl-Godley, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
Over the past few decades, the professional world has grown more specialized, leading to complex managerial decisions that can leave even the most capable executives feeling overwhelmed.
—Maxim Sytch, Harvard Business Review, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwhelmed. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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