- present participle of overpower.
overpowering
Americanadjective
adjective
-
so strong or intense as to be unbearable
-
so powerful as to crush or conquer
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of overpowering
Vocabulary lists containing overpowering
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.
It’s both salty and sweet, without feeling overpowering on either end of the flavor scale.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
No pitcher has been as overpowering as Garcia was under the lights.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026
It left Brian and his neighbours dealing with smoke, ash and an overpowering "chemical" smell which some described as like living in a "war zone".
From BBC ● Feb. 12, 2026
More shocking still, Cignetti has the Hoosiers overpowering opponents and outmuscling stars, despite a roster that doesn’t feature a single five-star recruit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
“But it isn’t as overpowering on a plane as it is on a ship. I’m glad we’re far above and can’t hear the roar of the waves!”
From "Across So Many Seas" by Ruth Behar
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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.