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
Instead, with the tariffs in place, worries about an impending recession have overwhelmed any positive benefit for the greenback.
—
Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Flooding overwhelms homes and roads, leading to multiple water rescues
Authorities in West Plains in southern Missouri carried out as many as a half a dozen water rescues as of late Friday, according to CNN affiliate KY3.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
And for the most part, a young defense wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
But the country’s hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed by patients necessitating medical care.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Flooding overwhelms homes and roads, leading to multiple water rescues
Authorities in West Plains in southern Missouri carried out as many as a half a dozen water rescues as of late Friday, according to CNN affiliate KY3.
—Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
And for the most part, a young defense wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
But the country’s hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed by patients necessitating medical care.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelm
Verb
-
Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
After Republicans in the House and Senate had forged ahead on their own budget blueprints earlier this year, the Senate on Saturday adopted the compromise resolution, giving the House just days to overcome opposition and get it over the finish line before the recess.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The ad featured the artist in his studio, struggling with a piece of artwork, when suddenly, the entire room is engulfed in white paint, covering both his paintings and him.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
7 Apr. 2025
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In the first, the sheepdog appears engulfed by a thick coat of long white fur, his face nearly obscured by the shaggy mass.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The floods have devastated local economies and communities.—
Alan Taylor,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2025
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In 2014, three West African countries were devastated by an Ebola outbreak that claimed more than 11,000 lives.—
Seth Berkley,
Time,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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While fans flooded his comments with well-wishes, the rapper’s message was clear: stay vigilant, because health is nothing to play with.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Salvage and cleanup work will continue this weekend as volunteers from nearby communities flood Moundville for a cleanup day to help the Botts and others impacted by the tornado.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Crockett has faced significant backlash for the remarks about Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who was paralyzed from the waist down in 1984 after being crushed by an oak tree while jogging.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
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Pastor Jamal Bryant is proud of his twin daughters, Angel and Adore Bryant, who are currently crushing it in college.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And the public is left drowning in a sea of hot takes and half-truths, trying to make sense of what—if anything—actually matters.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
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Tragedy struck the Kilmer family in 1977 when Kilmer’s younger brother Wesley drowned at the young age of 15.—
Ale Russian,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelm. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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