overwhelmed
adjective
over·whelmed
ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)welmd 
1
: overcome by force or numbers
Some jurisdictions are so overwhelmed that they are experimenting with routing school-children into specially designed courts that would keep first-time offenders from being saddled with an arrest record.—
Gary Fields and John R. Emshwiller
Gary Fields and John R. EmshwillerOnly three Coast Guard rescue helicopters had managed to get into the air, and each was already overwhelmed by dozens of calls for help.—Christopher Cooper and Robert Block
Christopher Cooper and Robert Block"We were overwhelmed," said John Robinson, the Rams' coach. "Clearly dominated."—Paul Zimmerman
Paul Zimmerman2
: completely overcome or overpowered by thought or feeling
When he first appeared in full regalia, I was overwhelmed.—Jane Davison
Jane DavisonSuddenly he felt overwhelmed by a wash of terror.—Holly Black
Holly BlackHe finds that the institutions that might compensate for what overwhelmed parents are unable to do are themselves undermined by stingy public policies.—Lisbeth B. Schorr
Lisbeth B. SchorrExamples of overwhelmed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But in those times of difficulty, Prasad no longer feels as overwhelmed.
—Laura Kwerel, NPR, 26 May 2025
Many health and nutrition centers have been damaged or evacuated; those that remain open are overwhelmed.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Many are undertreated, overwhelmed, and desperate for help.
—Lynya Floyd, Allure, 23 May 2025
The mass-prosecution effort, which included the administration’s controversial family-separation policy, was short lived and quickly overwhelmed federal courts along the border.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
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Laura Kwerel, NPR, 26 May 2025
Many health and nutrition centers have been damaged or evacuated; those that remain open are overwhelmed.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Many are undertreated, overwhelmed, and desperate for help.
—Lynya Floyd, Allure, 23 May 2025
The mass-prosecution effort, which included the administration’s controversial family-separation policy, was short lived and quickly overwhelmed federal courts along the border.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwhelmed. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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