overwhelmed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of overwhelmednext
as in bewildered

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overwhelmed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of overwhelm
1
as in devastated
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 flooded
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 overwhelmed
Adjective
The offensive line, a strong suit prior to Saturday, was totally overwhelmed. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 The 38-year-old Australian overwhelmed Evloev with punches late in the round, sending the challenger to the canvas before the referee intervened with 6 seconds remaining. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
Excessive false positives also overwhelmed the human moderators trying to detect dangerous accounts. — Vicky Nguyen, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026 But that boom eventually faded, overwhelmed by larger forces including the rise of the regulatory state and increasingly generous government bailouts. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overwhelmed
  1. bewildered
  2. devastated
  3. flooded
  4. staggered
  5. overcame
  6. engulfed
  7. stunned
  8. crushed
Adjective
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Darren Foote, a fellow veteran who helped organize the festivities, told the BBC that Filer was somewhat bewildered by all the attention.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewildered
Verb
  • Iran’s military has been devastated by American attacks, but the Iranian forces have continued to launch missiles, drones and naval operations to inflict damage in the region.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
  • At home, the United States had defeated their armies, destroyed their infrastructure, retaken their territory, emancipated their enslaved, and devastated their economy and society into a catastrophic mess.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of devastated
Verb
  • Authorities were assessing who else needed help, including many whose homes weren't flooded but were cut off by floodwaters.
    — MEAD GRUVER, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • About 90% of the city was flooded ​following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, according to the White House.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of flooded
Adjective
  • Under Anthropic's staggered lock-up schedule, workers and insiders will be able to sell an unspecified number of Class A shares as time passes after the debut.
    — Ashley Capoot,Jordan Novet,Annie Palmer,Lora Kolodny,Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The news comes as part of Xbox’s staggered rollout of its cloud gaming offering to users without a Game Pass.
    — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of staggered
Verb
  • Kaprizov and Hartman scored in the third period as Minnesota overcame a 3-1 deficit to force overtime.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Craig overcame being sacked four times and the run game producing just 33 yards to lead TCU to the massive victory, as the Horned Frogs scored multiple touchdowns against a Power Four conference opponent for the first time this season.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcame
Verb
  • On Saturday alone, at least 2,400 people were arrested after rioters in cities across France clashed with police, set cars on fire, stormed public buildings, looted stores and engulfed a historic city hall in flames.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • This is against the backdrop of the French government imposing a curfew and many businesses and some famous tourist attractions shutting down amid the wave of violence that engulfed sections of Paris and other cites around the country.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of engulfed
Adjective
  • In front of a stunned Dodgers Stadium, the Brewers fought back on Thursday from an early 4-0 deficit.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
  • It was released as the third of the three-pack of new albums Drake dropped to stunned audiences this May.
    — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of stunned
Verb
  • Honestly, getting dragged out on a jet ski in marine clothing and thrown into waves and getting crushed by waves was extremely fun.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Roma's confidence will be low after being crushed 6-0 by Barca and held goalless by Belgian side OH Leuven.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of crushed

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Cite this Entry

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

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