overwhelming

adjective

over·​whelm·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)wel-miŋ How to pronounce overwhelming (audio)
Synonyms of overwhelming
: tending or serving to overwhelm
overwhelming force
overwhelming evidence
also : extreme, great
overwhelming indifference
an overwhelming majority

Examples of overwhelming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s this moment of overwhelming possibilities as everything in her life is about to change. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026 The return on public investment for this strategy is overwhelming. — Pete Harrison, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 Once the phone’s native audio was passed through Nomono’s system through the enhanced lavalier recording, his voice came through clearly while the ambient street sound stayed present but no longer overwhelming. — Damion Taylor, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 The overwhelming majority are simply too distant, too faint, or hidden behind clouds of interstellar dust to be seen without powerful telescopes. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelming

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overwhelming was in 1567

Browse Nearby Words

overwhelmed
overwhelming
overwhelmingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overwhelming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwhelming. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overwhelming

adjective
over·​whelm·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈhwel-miŋ How to pronounce overwhelming (audio)
-wel-
: great sense 4, extreme
an overwhelming response
overwhelmingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on overwhelming

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overwhelming

Nglish: Translation of overwhelming for Spanish Speakers

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