overwhelmed

American  

[oh-ver-hwelmd, -welmd] / ˌoʊ vərˈʰwɛlmd, -ˈwɛlmd /

adjective

1. completely overcome in mind or feeling.

   She told the overwhelmed and sobbing mother she would take care of all medical expenses.

2. loaded, filled, or addressed with an excessive amount of anything.

   Over 100 dogs were transported to other parts of the state from overwhelmed animal shelters on the coast.

3. overpowered or crushed, as by superior forces.

   The aim of the coalition's operation was to stop the dictator and his army from attacking already overwhelmed rebel troops.

---

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of overwhelm.

Other Word Forms

• unoverwhelmed adjective

Etymology

Origin of overwhelmed

overwhelm ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

“But I have to say, you know, thinking about it, I’m truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of love that I have received from all of you.”

From Los Angeles Times

All I can do is stare at the ground, overwhelmed by the feeling that I messed up somehow.

From Literature

And increased development will only exacerbate flooding – concreting over surfaces for housing or car parks prevents rain being absorbed and instead it runs off into drains and rivers which can become overwhelmed and breach defences.

From BBC

In culture and in publishing as a microcosm of culture, there is, in my mind, quite an unfortunate move toward uncomplicated and unnuanced takes, because we’re all overwhelmed by all the information in daily life.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m overwhelmed, I’m really overwhelmed,” he told the audience after accepting the leading actor Oscar from Hilary Swank.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affected
• devastated
• moved
• overpowered