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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of overwhelm
Reports and public records show that Lurie was also part of the LAPD response later in the week, including being informed that UCLA police were overwhelmed by counterprotesters on the night of April 30 — although there was a lag between those reports and requests for mutual police aid.
—
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
To score, his only move is to basically physically overwhelm his opponent at the rim.
—William Guillory, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump’s pardons went to people who did not act violently on Jan. 6 when his supporters overwhelmed Capitol Police and entered the building, forcing the evaculation of lawmakers certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
In games where one of the top two lines didn’t just overwhelm the opponent, the lack of offensive depth became more noticeable.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overwhelm 
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
To score, his only move is to basically physically overwhelm his opponent at the rim.
—William Guillory, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Trump’s pardons went to people who did not act violently on Jan. 6 when his supporters overwhelmed Capitol Police and entered the building, forcing the evaculation of lawmakers certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
In games where one of the top two lines didn’t just overwhelm the opponent, the lack of offensive depth became more noticeable.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
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From Klay Thompson to Shaun Livingston to Ball, the NBA has been filled with stories of players overcoming tremendous physical and personal adversity to return to the court.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Jan. 2025
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The Lunar Owls overcame a six-point deficit and ended up winning the league’s first game 84-80 after Diggins-Smith hit a game-ending 3-pointer.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But that blissful image has been ruptured in recent days as parts of Los Angeles were engulfed in flames, reducing homes and businesses across the sprawling metropolis to smoldering heaps of ash and rubble, most calamitously in the Pacific Palisades and the community of Altadena.—
Daniel Arkin,
NBC News,
15 Jan. 2025
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Reis has made some big leaps in his career, but strolling into this City team — engulfed in the transitional chaos of the Premier League — would be by far the biggest of his career.—
Thom Harris,
The Athletic,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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What Happened in Hawaii? In August 2023, the Hawaiian town of Lahaina, on the northwest coast of the island of Maui, was devastated by a raging wildfire which killed 102 people and displaced thousands.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
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Wildfires have devastated Southern California since early last week, leaving thousands of residents displaced, their homes reduced to ash and rubble.—
Ryan Faughnder,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Humanitarian aid would also flood the strip during this initial phase.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
16 Jan. 2025
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Aid would flood Gaza as residents returned to what is left of their homes, and the Israeli military pulls back from the major population centers, according to the mediators.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This is a case where the head of a major world power lost control of the situation completely, resulting in a crushing electoral defeat for the Democrats.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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Boston Scientific is crushing it and its competitors in atrial fibrillation (AFib).—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Now that his presidency has ended and the conservative right is back at the helm, what does that mean for student loan borrowers that are drowning in debt? Dr. Sonia Lewis, founder of student loan debt consultancy The Student Loan Doctor, says that now is the time to get informed…and quickly.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
17 Jan. 2025
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But the halfway treatment in this case feels like keeping the bath water and drowning the baby.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to overwhelm
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Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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