overpower
Americanverb (used with object)
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to overcome, master, or subdue by superior force.
to overpower a maniac.
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to overcome or overwhelm in feeling; affect or impress excessively.
overpowered with confusion and desire.
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to gain mastery over the bodily powers or mental faculties of.
a strong drink that quickly overpowered him.
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to furnish or equip with excessive power.
a giant motor that overpowered the pump.
verb
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to conquer or subdue by superior force
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to have such a strong effect on as to make helpless or ineffective
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to supply with more power than necessary
Other Word Forms
- unoverpowered adjective
Etymology
Origin of overpower
Explanation
To overpower is to overcome with greater strength. In order to win an arm-wrestling match, you must overpower your opponent. The word overpower is often used in situations where great force is used or required against some person or thing. One army might overpower another, or a mugger might overpower his victim. But delicate things, like the scent of a perfume, can also overpower you, especially if they're too strong. Our emotions can also overpower us: we cheer after a home run and swoon when it's love at first sight.
Vocabulary lists containing overpower
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 20–25
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"Rachel the Clever"
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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.
But Darth Vader’s costume, runway fashion by brands like Lanvin and Undercover, and more screens devoted to recent movies and videogames threaten to overpower the nuanced arrangements in the previous rooms.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026
Economo also pointed to Lanchester's Laws -- mathematical equations developed during World War I that examine when large numbers of weaker fighters can overpower a smaller force of stronger ones.
From Science Daily • Dec. 22, 2025
That means Wales will face the full force of 15 Springbok forwards during the 80 minutes, with the famous "Bomb Squad" set to come on in the second half looking to overpower their hosts.
From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025
K-pop star Nana helped overpower a home intruder and is recovering in hospital after suffering injuries during the tussle, South Korean police said on Sunday.
From Barron's • Nov. 16, 2025
Even the music of a flamenco band did not overpower or even cancel out the clamor and tumult that spilled out of the room.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
