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 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
Lower-end soy sauces tend to have a higher salt content, which can be overpowering in your sweet cookie batter.
From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025
Words of brotherhood overpowering the sensations of a crushing defeat.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2025
And I can’t help but notice something that stands out even more than the bronze lion sculptures and the overpowering aroma of noodles and soy sauce.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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.
