overpower
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to overcome, master, or subdue by superior force.
to overpower a maniac.
-
to overcome or overwhelm in feeling; affect or impress excessively.
overpowered with confusion and desire.
-
to gain mastery over the bodily powers or mental faculties of.
a strong drink that quickly overpowered him.
-
to furnish or equip with excessive power.
a giant motor that overpowered the pump.
verb
-
to conquer or subdue by superior force
-
to have such a strong effect on as to make helpless or ineffective
-
to supply with more power than necessary
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has overpoweredperfect 3rd person singular
-
have overpoweredperfect
-
is overpoweringprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been overpoweringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are overpoweringprogressive
-
have been overpoweringperfect progressive
-
am overpoweringprogressive 1st person singular
-
overpoweringparticiple
-
overpowerssingular 3rd person
Past
-
had overpoweredperfect
-
were overpoweringprogressive plural
-
was overpoweringprogressive singular
-
had been overpoweringperfect progressive
-
overpoweredsimple
-
overpoweredparticiple
Future
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Words for Cheese Writers
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Rachel the Clever"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
He wanted to include his friends in the world of “Omakase” without letting the feature list overpower the project’s mystique.
From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026
Often, it’s “winner takes all” in the tech industry, and large companies can overpower their competitors once they get to a certain market share.
From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026
One of President Donald Trump's favorite metaphors is that he's got the cards -- that through the might of the United States and his own acumen he can overpower any adversary.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
However, that is to take nothing away from Croatia's Prizmic, who played bravely to overpower the Serb 2-6 6-2 6-4.
From BBC • May 8, 2026
He was still attempting to fend off the flu-like symptoms of malaria that had been trying to overpower him since the first two canoes were smashed.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
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.
