overpower

[ oh-ver-pou-er ]

/ ˌoʊ vərˈpaʊ ər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR overpower ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to overcome, master, or subdue by superior force: to overpower a maniac.

to overcome or overwhelm in feeling; affect or impress excessively: overpowered with confusion and desire.

to gain mastery over the bodily powers or mental faculties of: a strong drink that quickly overpowered him.

to furnish or equip with excessive power: a giant motor that overpowered the pump.

Nearby words

Origin of overpower

First recorded in 1585–95; over- + power

SYNONYMS FOR overpower

1. vanquish, subjugate, conquer, defeat, beat.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR overpower ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsun·o·ver·pow·ered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for overpower

And hearing how loud he would scream and overpower the microphone.
The Real Legacy of Richard Nixon|Scott Porch|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the statistic cannot overpower the emotional response to flying.
No, Noah Gallagher Shannon, Your Plane Was Not Going to Crash|Clive Irving|June 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There are moments the grim metal can overpower the sleazy pop charm of early material.
Guns N’ Roses Rocks Las Vegas|Richard Abowitz|November 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Enough smarts to speak before the cameras, but not so much smarts that you overpower your husband.
No More Mrs. Good Wife|Jessica Bennett|July 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Blake Gopnik takes a stroll and wonders whether the technology will overpower the art.
Google Takes Street View Inside 17 Museums for Virtual Tours|Blake Gopnik|February 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The climate of Cumberland does not overpower one—the air is of a quality that urges you on to think and do.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 5 (of 14)|Elbert Hubbard
Soon there were enough stalwart savages there easily to overpower, in a hand-to-hand fight, the feeble garrison of but six men.
Christopher Carson|John S. C. Abbott
On feeling it pulled all the party below were to spring up on deck and overpower the crew forward.
The Missing Ship|W. H. G. Kingston
Mr. Dangerfield's bold proposition seemed quite to overpower and unman him.
The House by the Church-Yard|J. Sheridan Le Fanu
If the gate is only barred, no doubt we should be able to overpower the sentry, and get the gate open before any alarm is given.
The Tiger of Mysore|G. A. Henty

British Dictionary definitions for overpower

overpower

/ (ˌəʊvəˈpaʊə) /

verb (tr)

to conquer or subdue by superior force

to have such a strong effect on as to make helpless or ineffective

to supply with more power than necessary

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for overpower