overwhelm
[ oh-ver-hwelm, -welm ]
/ ˌoʊ vərˈʰwɛlm, -ˈwɛlm /
verb (used with object)
to overcome completely in mind or feeling: overwhelmed by remorse.
to overpower or overcome, especially with superior forces; destroy; crush: Roman troops were overwhelmed by barbarians.
to cover or bury beneath a mass of something, as floodwaters, debris, or an avalanche; submerge: Lava from erupting Vesuvius overwhelmed the city of Pompeii.
to load, heap, treat, or address with an overpowering or excessive amount of anything: a child overwhelmed with presents; to overwhelm someone with questions.
to overthrow.
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OTHER WORDS FROM overwhelm
un·o·ver·whelmed, adjectiveWords nearby overwhelm
overweary, overween, overweening, overweigh, overweight, overwhelm, overwhelming, overwind, overwinter, overwintering, overwire
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for overwhelm
British Dictionary definitions for overwhelm
overwhelm
/ (ˌəʊvəˈwɛlm) /
verb (tr)
to overpower the thoughts, emotions, or senses of
to overcome with irresistible force
to overcome, as with a profusion or concentration of something
to cover over or bury completely
to weigh or rest upon overpoweringly
archaic to overturn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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