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.

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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 they refused to make eye contact with fans and appeared overwhelmed with anxiety, said Anahita Amini, an electrical engineer living in Brisbane, who attended the two matches.

From The Wall Street Journal

Redemption requests from investors who might be worried about the threat to software companies from AI have overwhelmed the capacity of the credit funds to raise liquidity at short notice in illiquid markets.

From MarketWatch

Woodland recalled an incident at the Procore Championship in California last year when symptoms overwhelmed him on the course.

From BBC

When parents feel overwhelmed, family routines can break down, unhealthy food choices may become more common, and positive parenting behaviors can decline.

From Science Daily

These Bruins overwhelmed the Hawkeyes by displaying every necessary strength required to take the final step and finish the job next month in Scottsdale.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affected
• devastated
• moved
• overpowered