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
One week after historic flooding overwhelmed their Kentucky distillery, Buffalo Trace is trying to return to normalcy.
—
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
If public schools were required to provide advance notice of any lesson that might offend any parent’s religious views, they would be overwhelmed by this obligation.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
The scene on the 18th green, of McIlroy falling to his knees as emotions overwhelmed him, will live on forever.
—Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
But business and investment decisions are best made without emotions overwhelming us.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
If public schools were required to provide advance notice of any lesson that might offend any parent’s religious views, they would be overwhelmed by this obligation.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
The scene on the 18th green, of McIlroy falling to his knees as emotions overwhelmed him, will live on forever.
—Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
But business and investment decisions are best made without emotions overwhelming us.
—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
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For many of these mid-majors, this results in a talent drain that is difficult to overcome.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The ad featured the artist in his studio, struggling with a piece of artwork, when suddenly, the entire room is engulfed in white paint, covering both his paintings and him.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
7 Apr. 2025
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In the first, the sheepdog appears engulfed by a thick coat of long white fur, his face nearly obscured by the shaggy mass.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At first, Tyrion's owner was devastated with her dog's diagnosis.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
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The loss has brought yet another heartbreak for the Townsend family, stemming from the mass shooting that devastated this suburban Denver community 26 years ago.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While fans flooded his comments with well-wishes, the rapper’s message was clear: stay vigilant, because health is nothing to play with.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Salvage and cleanup work will continue this weekend as volunteers from nearby communities flood Moundville for a cleanup day to help the Botts and others impacted by the tornado.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The other wildcard for Apple is what Europe will do in the form of retaliatory measures for what Trump announced last Wednesday evening that crushed the stock market on Thursday and Friday.—
Matthew J. Belvedere,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
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Interactive Brokers’ full-year 2024 results crushed expectations, while quarterly commissions and trades were up huge year-over-year.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The swimmer drowned about 4:45 p.m. in the river near the 2500 block of Roberts Cut Off Road.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Apr. 2025
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In one of the most stunning miracles in all of biblical literature, God parts the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to cross but causes the waters to rejoin when the Egyptian army enters, drowning the dictator and his army.—
Kenneth Seeskin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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