overpowering 1 of 3

noun

as in dominating
the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control the overpowering of much of Europe by the Nazis during World War II

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overpowering

2 of 3

adjective

as in irresistible

Related Words

overpowering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of overpower
1
as in subduing
to bring under one's control by force of arms the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overwhelming
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress overpowered by fear of the unknown

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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 overpowering
Noun
In Michigan’s overpowering run in this tournament, Mara was everywhere. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 Chavarria was a cult designer at the time—an unsung name on the New York Fashion Week lineup that each season delivered a two-punch of a political statement and a singular sartorial proposition, both often related to his Chicano roots, even if at times the former overpowering the latter. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026 Peppermint and chocolate are a classic combo, but sometimes the mint flavor can taste too artificial or overpowering in baked goods when using an extract, which this recipe forgoes in favor of the peppermint candies. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025 Some people might find the scent overpowering. — Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Peralta relied on his overpowering four-seamer throughout the series. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 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 Since the inception of Puffy, Combs has been the overpowering narrator of his own story, masterful at marketing himself as whatever shiny new version of himself he’s decided to be. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026 Feller was 23 years old, perhaps the most overpowering pitcher in baseball and entering the prime of a Hall of Fame career. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 The candle has a fresh, citrussy scent, just like its name implies, that’s never too strong or overpowering, even as someone prone to headaches. — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026 While Barnes' final outing for the Dodgers proved costly, evaluators have long viewed him as a pitcher capable of providing organizational depth despite lacking overpowering velocity. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Reliever Grant Taylor pitched two overpowering innings, striking out four while picking up the victory. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Verb
This kind of overbearing, overpowering, the cities dominating the people, the slightly retro feel of it. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 It’s bottled at a high 63 percent ABV, but the heat is controlled and never overpowering. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026 That’s likely because Sivan often sings in italics, not bold, allowing his voice to add to the production without overpowering it. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 The graphic pattern has enough personality to perk up a room without overpowering it. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026 The scent is pleasant, but not overpowering, and the tint is subtle. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 Cottage cheese makes beef even juicer without overpowering its flavor. — Emily Laurence Sardinha, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026 This recipe features strong tea and sweetness that’s not overpowering. — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026 Every mouthful has crunchy, tangy, creamy and spicy flavors without one overpowering the other. — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering
  1. dominating
  2. irresistible
  3. subduing
  4. overwhelming
  5. conquest
  6. infectious
  7. conquering
  8. devastating
Noun
  • The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the World Series after a dominating sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the reigning two-time champions.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In the books, Xaden is described as a large, dominating wing leader with dark, intimidating features who is highly revered by the rest of the Basgiath War College.
    — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of dominating
Adjective
  • Either way, scientists anticipate finding traces of Mars on Phobos, making the samples an irresistible two-for-one that should help demystify planetary and moon formation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Either way, scientists anticipate finding traces of Mars on Phobos, making the samples an irresistible two-for-one that should help demystify planetary and moon formation, and perhaps even the recipe for life.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of irresistible
Verb
  • The school's head teacher, Krzysztof Ochmanski, was injured while subduing the teenager, officials said.
    — James Cirrone, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The handful of Israeli passengers grappled with the copilot for several minutes before subduing him and binding his hands with the cord from a set of headphones.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of subduing
Verb
  • The Arlington Heights Yellow Jackets (8-0, 4-0 District 4 5A-1) continued their dominant season Thursday night, overwhelming the Trimble Tech Bulldogs (4-3, 2-2 District 4 5A-1) 72-0 to remain undefeated.
    — Aliza Acuna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Western and workwear references ran through the lineup without overwhelming its sporty foundation.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of overwhelming
Noun
  • Reckoning with the bloody history of global conquest has become a task for all museums whose collections are legacies of colonial control.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • As ruler of the Olympian gods, Zeus occupied a central position in Greek mythology; following Rome’s conquest of Greece, he became associated with the Roman god Jupiter while continuing to be depicted according to classical sculptural conventions.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of conquest
Adjective
  • Many kinds of infectious agents are spread through contact with fomites, including influenza viruses, norovirus, and rotavirus.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As for the neighborhood, the Brera district is a favorite of both locals and visitors with its unique atmosphere that combines the best of historic Milan with the restless and infectious energy of the city’s creative scene today.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of infectious
Verb
  • Marsh argued conquering the global market means knowing differences between international markets.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Before conquering Hollywood, Ali played Division I basketball (standing at six feet four) and released rap albums under the name Prince Ali.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of conquering
Verb
  • The earthquake comes less than two months after a border region of Nepal and Tibet was struck by devastating flash flooding that left hundreds of people dead and destroyed several communities.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been fighting since April 2023, devastating large parts of the country and threatening stability along its borders.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of devastating

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overpowering
overpowers
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Cite this Entry

“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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