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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

When Roberts-Smith came home from Afghanistan in 2013, he was considered a national hero, having been awarded Australia's highest military honour for single-handedly overpowering Taliban fighters attacking his SAS platoon.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

She finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, four of which she tallied on offense, simply by overpowering whichever Trojan big she was up against.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 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

I just feel an overpowering need to ease Jamie’s discomfort, whatever it is.

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.