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
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Instead, spreading out tasks and to-dos will make everyone feel less overwhelmed.
—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
6 July 2026
However, a two-man midfield could be overwhelmed against an opponent like Spain, who France could run into in the semi-finals and play with three midfielders and sometimes even have a box midfield of four.
—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) says hospitals and health centers remain overwhelmed in several affected areas, while many temporary shelters continue operating at or near capacity.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
Eight days after Venezuela’s earthquakes, black smoke, mass graves and overwhelmed rescuers define La Guaira, even as the dramatic rescue of a man buried nearly a week offers fleeting hope.
—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
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Melissa Willets,
Parents,
6 July 2026
However, a two-man midfield could be overwhelmed against an opponent like Spain, who France could run into in the semi-finals and play with three midfielders and sometimes even have a box midfield of four.
—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
4 July 2026
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) says hospitals and health centers remain overwhelmed in several affected areas, while many temporary shelters continue operating at or near capacity.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
Eight days after Venezuela’s earthquakes, black smoke, mass graves and overwhelmed rescuers define La Guaira, even as the dramatic rescue of a man buried nearly a week offers fleeting hope.
—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwhelmed. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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