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
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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When this stress overcomes the strength of the rock to create a fault, or the friction along existing fault planes, the ground slips—releasing waves of energy.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
30 Jan. 2025
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The Chiefs couldn’t overcome losses to tight end Travis Kelce, who left the game at the end of the second quarter with a concussion, and defensive lineman Chris Jones, who left the game on the first drive of the third quarter with a knee injury.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Brian McShea and Stephanie Raynor, who had a home in the Altadena neighborhood that was engulfed in flames by the Eaton Fire, lost everything in a blink of an eye.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
27 Jan. 2025
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Just a few hours later, flames had engulfed almost every home on their block.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Overnight, a flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Malibu, where homes and businesses were destroyed by the Palisades Fire, the largest of the blazes to devastate Los Angeles County this month.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2025
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In the same month that multiple fires devastated Los Angeles County, the Border 2 Fire sparked and set over 6,000 acres ablaze in San Diego County, prompting more evacuation orders, according to officials.—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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High Valley Veterinary Clinic floods but remains open During the recent power outages in Ramona, the High Valley Veterinary Clinic was flooded, requiring the entire hospital to be remodeled, according to owner and veterinarian Matthew Gilbert.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
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Bales of hay, medications for the animals, feed, and other donations have flooded to the shelter, and a GoFundMe launched to rebuild Jigsaw Farms.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Boston Scientific is crushing it and its competitors in atrial fibrillation (AFib).—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
19 Jan. 2025
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The death and destruction crushed what was and what might have been.—
Joseph Rushmore,
New York Times,
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 2 Feb. 2025.
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