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
As demand for assistance overwhelmed state unemployment trust funds, frantic local officials begged for federal action.
—
Will Swaim, Oc Register, 1 June 2025
If the next season has new mysteries to ponder on top of all of that, I’ll be overwhelmed.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 1 June 2025
The Russian strategy seeks to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses with scores of low-cost drones so that simultaneous missile strikes can succeed.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Cruel and unaccountable events pile up, overwhelming any sense of normality.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Will Swaim, Oc Register, 1 June 2025
If the next season has new mysteries to ponder on top of all of that, I’ll be overwhelmed.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 1 June 2025
The Russian strategy seeks to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses with scores of low-cost drones so that simultaneous missile strikes can succeed.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
Cruel and unaccountable events pile up, overwhelming any sense of normality.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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Skubal overcame a Tommy John procedure in college and a flexor tendon surgery earlier in his big-league career to become one of baseball’s elite pitchers.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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Learning how to overcome your own anxiety is the first step to helping your kids do the same, said Robbins.—
Ashton Jackson,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Sudan has also been engulfed by what the United Nations says is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, and disease outbreaks, famine and atrocities have mounted as the African country entered its third year of war.—
Fatma Khaled,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
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Videos circulating on Chinese social media showed gray and orange smoke billowing upwards, engulfing buildings in an industrial park.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Sand, breeze blocks, storm shutters—these are materials of survival and exclusion, shaped by the hurricanes that regularly devastate her homeland.—
Nargess Banks,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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The famed Pacific Coast Highway, State Route 1, has been closed since Jan. 7, 2025 as a result of the Palisades Fire which devastated the surrounding community.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2025
Verb
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When a storm is approaching, most evacuation orders are issued for areas where storm surge is a threat or for those near a body of water that is prone to flooding.—
Mallory Nicholls,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
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Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Ulta Beauty — The beauty retailer’s shares rallied 9% after the firm raised its annual profit forecast and crushed expectations with its quarterly results.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
30 May 2025
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After collapsing under the weight of 130 points in a crushing Game 4 loss, Tom Thibodeau’s squad regrouped and unleashed an inspired performance at that end of the court to fend off elimination.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
Verb
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That’s no small feat in a world drowning in content.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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In the film, Charles survives a plane crash, nearly drowns and is finally eaten by a shark.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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