1
as in overcomes
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 engulfs
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 overwhelms
But the showy structure overwhelms the unshowy story.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
And so, as this deluge of data overwhelms us with such velocity, the imperative is ensuring that decisions are well-informed by precise, whole and transparent evidence.
—Anna Forsythe, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
For a material that so often overwhelms, this kind of wearability is rare and noteworthy.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
Other factors have also played a role in contaminating beaches, including increasingly severe weather that overwhelms sewage systems, and suburban sprawl that paves over natural areas and reduces the ecosystem’s ability to absorb stormwater, Rumpler said.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
Thinking about how Jerry would have reacted to her bond with the bear overwhelms her.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The sheer number of dogs overwhelms the limited funding and veterinary infrastructure in the world’s most populous country, meaning sterilization rates cannot keep pace with the dogs’ rapid breeding cycle.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Glacial outburst floods are also possible if water overwhelms natural dams created by moraines, the rock and debris left behind as a glacier moves or retreats.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025
If a disaster overwhelms state and local capacity, officials may request a presidential declaration.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
And so, as this deluge of data overwhelms us with such velocity, the imperative is ensuring that decisions are well-informed by precise, whole and transparent evidence.
—Anna Forsythe, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
For a material that so often overwhelms, this kind of wearability is rare and noteworthy.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
Other factors have also played a role in contaminating beaches, including increasingly severe weather that overwhelms sewage systems, and suburban sprawl that paves over natural areas and reduces the ecosystem’s ability to absorb stormwater, Rumpler said.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
Thinking about how Jerry would have reacted to her bond with the bear overwhelms her.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The sheer number of dogs overwhelms the limited funding and veterinary infrastructure in the world’s most populous country, meaning sterilization rates cannot keep pace with the dogs’ rapid breeding cycle.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Glacial outburst floods are also possible if water overwhelms natural dams created by moraines, the rock and debris left behind as a glacier moves or retreats.
—Evan Bush, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025
If a disaster overwhelms state and local capacity, officials may request a presidential declaration.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelms
Verb
-
Saginaw’s surge overcomes Boswell The Pioneers of Boswell dominated play in the opening half, building a 21-0 lead that looked rock solid behind a persistent defense and an offense balanced with good running and passing.—
Pat Wheeler,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The technology overcomes the key trade-off between energy density and charging speed that limited previous lithium-metal battery designs.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Deadly flooding devastates South Asia Almost 400 people have died in Pakistan after flash floods brought destruction throughout the country’s north.—
Semafor Staff,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Illness devastates the novel’s humble, endearing protagonist, who bravely crosses class boundaries in her enthralling search for peace.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Bright sunlight floods the sensors with background noise, surface reflections distort the signal, and long-distance measurements require higher stability than short-range indoor use.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Rainwater floods their tents and officers go cell-to-cell pressuring detainees to sign voluntary removal orders before they’re allowed to consult their attorneys.—
Kate Payne,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This diabolical, maximalist group oppresses Gazans and its existence ensures the Palestinians will not have a state.—
Zoltan Istvan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Plants will slowly die with yellowing foliage as water builds up in the container and drowns the roots.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
-
But rather than capturing the madness of the era, Lee drowns in sub-Scorsese excess, confusing saying a lot of things bluntly with saying something meaningful.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelms. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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