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
Relevance
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
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 overwhelm
Think of eventual 2015 winner Nadiya Hussain’s use of bubblegum and cream-soda flavors to signal her playful personality after weeks of doing poorly on Technicals; instead of letting that anxiety overwhelm her, Nadiya reset her persona with those mischievous eclairs.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Abruzzo’s to-do list overwhelmed her staff, especially in field offices.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
For low-porosity hair, which tends to repel moisture, lighter treatments like this provide hydration without overwhelming the strands.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024
This show encourages a calm and open frame of mind that will engage your toddler without overwhelming them.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overwhelm 
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Abruzzo’s to-do list overwhelmed her staff, especially in field offices.
—E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
For low-porosity hair, which tends to repel moisture, lighter treatments like this provide hydration without overwhelming the strands.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024
This show encourages a calm and open frame of mind that will engage your toddler without overwhelming them.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
-
However, the article notes this training will likely be easier for happy chasers because dogs who are angry or fearful bee-chasers have stronger emotions to overcome.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
-
To overcome this, build self-awareness and emotional intelligence internally first.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The scandal engulfed the prime minister Monday and sent shock waves across the country.Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024
-
The girls had minutes to flee before the Morrison Ranch barn was fully engulfed in flames.Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
While many athletes would be devastated, Ellis saw it as an opportunity to pursue his original dream: a career in entertainment.Eric Andersson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Western North Carolina was devastated by extreme flooding after Hurricane Helene in late September, raising concerns about election access.Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The intrigue: Big donors are flooding Pennsylvania with cash, and much of the attention is on Democratic Sen. Bob Casey's fight to keep his seat.Alexa Mencia, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Since May, Liccardo and Low have duked it out on the campaign trail as millions of dollars flooded the race despite it not being one of California’s key battleground races.Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Half an hour later and two blocks away, a third-grader named Cooper Stock was crossing West End Avenue at 97th Street (yes, yes, with the light and in the crosswalk), holding his father’s hand, when a cab driver whipped around the corner and crushed him to death.Justin Davidson, Curbed, 13 Nov. 2024
-
The precisely contoured shell shape provides a very close fit through the instep, ankles, and heel, but with enough curvature to encompass—rather than crush—bony protrusions.Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Downtown flooding became a regularity, including a deadly flood in August 1998 in which two boys drowned.Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
-
The initial victim was Brian Jones, a founding member of the Rolling Stones who drowned in his swimming pool in 1969.Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Articles Related to overwhelm
Thesaurus Entries Near overwhelm
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share