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
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 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
-
This post contains spoilers for Good American Family Hulu’s Good American Family has an irresistible premise: What if the person who was supposed to bring your family together is actually the one who tears it apart?—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Your content should create an irresistible journey.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 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
-
These small-scale attacks may prove most damaging to the norm against territorial conquest.—
TANISHA M. FAZAL,
Foreign Affairs,
21 Mar. 2025
-
For the indigenous peoples of the Americas, these diseases were foreign invaders, spreading faster than European conquest itself.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Kosuke Koyama critiqued Western domination in Asia by aligning contemporary imperialists with Pharaoh, reinforcing Exodus as a revolutionary call to resist subjugation.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Mustang’s Boss won the Trans-Am championship in 1970—with Parnelli Jones at the wheel—powered by the Bud Moore racing team, further reinforcing the legacy of Ford’s iconic pony car, established with Carroll Shelby’s domination of the SCCA B Production class by the Shelby G.T.350 in 1965.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 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
-
For example, in 2023, there was an outbreak of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus that led to the death of thousands of cats.—
Jackie (Ott) Jaakola,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
But nothing compares to the infectious jubilation that occurs during the four-day celebration of Cup Match at the end of July and early August.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share