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Synonyms

overpowering

American  
[oh-ver-pou-er-ing] / ˌoʊ vərˈpaʊ ər ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. that overpowers; overwhelming.

    an overpowering conviction of the truth.
overpowering British  
/ ˌəʊvəˈpaʊərɪŋ /

adjective

  1. so strong or intense as to be unbearable

  2. so powerful as to crush or conquer

"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

Other Word Forms

  • overpoweringly adverb
  • overpoweringness noun

Etymology

Origin of overpowering

First recorded in 1690–1700; overpower + -ing 2

Vocabulary lists containing overpowering

"How I Live Now," Vocabulary from Part 2: Chapters 1-6

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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.

Dustin Dunwoody, Royal: Armed with an overpowering fastball, Dunwoody is 7-0, has an 0.18 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

But, six months after sustaining a calf tear during that final, Kerr demonstrated his return to full fitness by overpowering world-class opposition as the complete line-up of Olympic 1500m medallists went head to head.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 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

Jordan’s cologne, which smelled to Gerald like horse sweat, hung strong and overpowering in the small room.

From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper

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.