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
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have overpoweredperfect
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has overpoweredperfect 3rd person singular
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has been overpoweringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are overpoweringprogressive
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have been overpoweringperfect progressive
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am overpoweringprogressive 1st person singular
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is overpoweringprogressive 3rd person singular
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overpoweringparticiple
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overpowerssingular 3rd person
Past
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had overpoweredperfect
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had been overpoweringperfect progressive
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was overpoweringprogressive singular
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were overpoweringprogressive plural
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overpoweredsimple
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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
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Words for Cheese Writers
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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.
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
Caine said the Iranian military is adapting to the U.S. strategy, but remains confident in Washington’s ability to overpower Tehran.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026
The resolution would need to pass with a two-thirds majority in the Senate and House of Representatives to overpower a veto—a level of support it’s unlikely to get.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 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
If Jonah went off with Gary, could Katherine and Chip and maybe some of the other kids overpower Mr. Hodge?
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
