overpower

verb

over·​pow·​er ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r 

overpowered; overpowering; overpowers

transitive verb

1

: to overcome by superior force : subdue

2

: to affect with overwhelming intensity

the stench overpowered us

3

: to provide with more power than is needed or desirable

a dangerously overpowered car

overpoweringly

ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• conquer
• dominate
• pacify
• subdue
• subject
• subjugate
• subordinate
• vanquish

Examples of overpower in a Sentence

She was able to overpower her attacker.

The police overpowered the man and handcuffed him.

The troops were overpowered by the stronger enemy forces.

His personality overpowers everyone else's.

The delicate taste of the wine was overpowered by the spiciness of the food.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sunday night in New Orleans, after the Philadelphia Eagles had overpowered the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, a middle-aged man in business attire danced with Eagles players in the locker room. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025

Can Denver's dynamic duo of Jokic and Murray overpower a surging Philadelphia team, or will Maxey and the Sixers keep rolling? —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025

After rushing into the hallway, the good Samaritan immediately tried to overpower the suspect. —Ellen Moynihan, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025

Russell Westbrook tried admirably to match it as a defender, guarding Julius Randle, but the power forward overpowered him on his way to the rim a few times. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overpower

verb

over·​pow·​er ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r 

1

: to overcome by greater force : defeat

2

: overwhelm sense 2

overpowered by hunger

overpoweringly

-ˈpau̇r-iŋ-lē 

adverb