How to Use overwhelm in a Sentence

overwhelm

verb
  • The city was overwhelmed by the invading army.
  • They were overwhelmed with work.
  • Don't overwhelm him with facts.
  • Too much cheese would overwhelm the corn.
    — Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
  • These can be used for stealth or to overwhelm foes.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The goal is not just to delight but to overwhelm.
    — Bianca Bosker, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2025
  • He’s been overwhelmed by the response so far.
    — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Still, the new strain of the virus threatens to overwhelm them.
    — John Raby, ajc, 25 Dec. 2021
  • Do not allow the sins of the past to overwhelm, to drown the present.
    — Literary Hub, 16 June 2026
  • Too much can overwhelm a dish, but just a small splash can transform it.
    — Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 22 May 2026
  • The sauce should be more of a thin glaze with a punch of heat that doesn’t overwhelm the dish.
    — Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2022
  • She has been overwhelmed by emotions.
    — Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026
  • She has been overwhelmed by emotions.
    — ABC News, 23 May 2026
  • Riles was overwhelmed by the kindness.
    — CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Maybe the Ducks’ talent and speed will just overwhelm them.
    — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Aid workers have been overwhelmed.
    — ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Just be careful to choose one that won't overwhelm your garden.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The cluster is bright and easy to read and doesn’t overwhelm you with data.
    — Roberto Baldwin, The Verge, 20 Mar. 2023
  • He was overwhelmed by smoke on the top floor and was forced to exit the building.
    — Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 1 July 2023
  • Won't a shot for three viruses overwhelm a baby?
    — CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • As the crowd roared, Ford fell to his knees, overwhelmed by the moment.
    — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
  • And for the most part, a young defense wasn’t overwhelmed by the moment.
    — Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Shoes, jackets, keys and mail can overwhelm a small space in minutes.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2026
  • Take to the streets and you’ll be overwhelmed by landmarks worthy of your time.
    — Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Plant your foot and the car gently feeds in torque rather than overwhelming the front tyres.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
  • Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to do it all.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
  • The body of work overwhelmed Herbert’s.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Poor sound design can overwhelm rather than inform.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
  • They’re also exposed to lots of new sights, sounds, and smells that can overwhelm them.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overwhelm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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