overwhelms

VERB

flood, beat physically

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crush defeat deluge destroy engulf inundate overcome overpower overrun rout submerge swamp

STRONG

bury conquer drown drub massacre overflow overthrow smother thrash total whip win

Antonyms

STRONGEST

encourage inspirit lose surrender underwhelm yield

STRONG

fail forfeit uncover

WEAK

not impress

VERB

astonish, devastate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bewilder confound confuse demoralize destroy disturb dumbfound overcome overpower puzzle shock stun surprise swamp upset

STRONG

downgrade drown floor kill prostrate shatter stagger steamroller subordinate wreck

WEAK

blow out of the water bowl over do in render speechless run circles around

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clarify clear up comfort enlighten explain order organize surrender yield

STRONG

aid assist create help

WEAK

not impress underwhelm

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rates may rise even in recession this time, because the supply of Treasury debt overwhelms demand at current yields.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

It even overwhelms his dawning understanding of Venice’s spreading cholera outbreak, as he concludes he would rather stay on vacation than save the boy—or himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Gravity then overwhelms the outward pressure, causing the core to collapse and form a dense neutron star.

From Science Daily • Feb. 14, 2026

When the star is too big, their appearance overwhelms everything else.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2025

The terror that waits in that cold tile room overwhelms him.

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes