overwhelming 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of overwhelmingnext
1
as in overpowering

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2
as in crushing

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Dissimilar Words
3
as in staggering

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Dissimilar Words

overwhelming

2 of 2

verb

present participle of overwhelm
1
as in devastating
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress just the thought of how much work there is to do overwhelms me

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in flooding
to cover with a flood that spring the massive runoff from melting snows overwhelmed the valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 overwhelming
Adjective
Those looking for military-grade armor should look elsewhere, though the prototype will provide more than enough protection for the overwhelming majority of us. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026 And really stick to your village and hold your people close because this industry is really big and can be very scary and overwhelming. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
The media has overwhelming taken Wilson's side, even after the man was proven innocent, and players like Chicago Sky's Natasha Cloud claimed the fan may be a domestic abuser. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Rather than overwhelming the room with HR metrics, focus on the few measures and trends that matter to the decisions the board needs to make. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelming
  1. overpowering
  2. crushing
  3. staggering
  4. devastating
  5. flooding
  6. irresistible
  7. unacceptable
  8. stupendous
Adjective
  • The overpowering sound of La Murga — a supporter group that also functions as a brass and bass rally band for the team — blared throughout Q2 Stadium.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond coffee, Gottsman said candidates should avoid other distractions or unprofessional impressions by putting away their phones, skipping overpowering fragrances, removing sunglasses from the tops of their heads and avoiding chewing gum.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of overpowering
Adjective
  • And that makes his collapse all the more crushing.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Even the laughs and smiles that Joe and Kate Keller issue are fleeting, a respite from the journey toward a more crushing reality.
    — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
Definition of crushing
Adjective
  • All of a sudden, Bass was a staggering champion lunging at a revived Raman, who swung and stung and ducked the way only a hungry up-and-comer can.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Holcomb’s numbers this season are staggering, punctuated by completing nearly 72% of his passes.
    — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of staggering
Verb
  • Overall, climate change is weakening the winds — but won’t save SoCal from devastating fires.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The region has already been saturated by heavy rain over the past months, and regions like New Mexico and Grand Canyon were hit by devastating floods earlier this month.
    — Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of devastating
Verb
  • In the brain, for example, elevated stress hormones can impair learning and memory by flooding the hippocampus with excitatory chemical signals.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • By holding water on the land, these peatlands not only reduce the risk of flooding downstream, but also buffer the landscape against drought, keeping soils moist and supporting nearby forests through dry spells.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of flooding
Adjective
  • Some of us seem to naturally have this irresistible aliveness, often invigorating those around us.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The lyrics to Musgraves’ fun, flirty tune from this year’s Middle of Nowhere album is an homage to an irresistible, magnetic love.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of irresistible
Adjective
  • Detection is no substitute for prevention, not when consequences are truly unacceptable.
    — Andrew Ginter, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The win won’t change what’s frankly been an unacceptable campaign for a program that was 18-1-4 just two seasons ago.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • The Padres are ridiculously hot, and the scene in San Diego was stupendous during the Wild Card Series.
    — The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Afternoon tea is likely to ease effortlessly into cocktails in the stupendous Palm Court.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of stupendous

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Cite this Entry

“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overwhelming. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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