overwhelmed
Americanadjective
-
completely overcome in mind or feeling.
She told the overwhelmed and sobbing mother she would take care of all medical expenses.
-
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.
-
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
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of overwhelmed
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.
On 16th-century battlefields, once-unstoppable armored cavalrymen were overwhelmed by groups of foot soldiers armed with long-barreled guns.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026
The few toilets are overwhelmed, outbreaks of diarrhoea have been reported and the stench of urine and faeces hangs heavy.
From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026
Even though Freddy is somewhat of an international celebrity now, he’s still just like us — and also gets overwhelmed by those digital Coca Cola machines with what feels like a hundred soda options.
From Salon • Jun. 17, 2026
Containing news consumption to defined windows of time reduces the sense of being overwhelmed.
From Science Daily • Jun. 16, 2026
On rare occasions see the need for reflection and are often overwhelmed by the current changing context.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
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.
