overwhelmed

[oh-ver-hwelmd, -welmd]

adjective

1. completely overcome in mind or feeling.

   She told the overwhelmed and sobbing mother she would take care of all medical expenses.

2. loaded, filled, or addressed with an excessive amount of anything.

   Over 100 dogs were transported to other parts of the state from overwhelmed animal shelters on the coast.

3. overpowered or crushed, as by superior forces.

   The aim of the coalition's operation was to stop the dictator and his army from attacking already overwhelmed rebel troops.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of overwhelm.

Other Word Forms

• unoverwhelmed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overwhelmed¹

overwhelm ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Stocks fell sharply Friday as renewed tariff fears overwhelmed markets.

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Local authorities declared a “state of calamity” for all of Cebu Province and called for medical volunteers to support overwhelmed hospitals, especially in Bogo City, home to some 90,000 people, and surrounding villages.

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In a physical, old-fashioned Big Ten battle, Michigan simply looked bigger and stronger at the line of scrimmage, while the Trojans looked largely overwhelmed.

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In the early years of his career, the Capitals winger overwhelmed opponents with his speed and power.

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On that day, the first major final of her career, she had been overwhelmed by the moment and lived every player’s worst nightmare: a 6-0, 6-0 hammering.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affected 
• devastated 
• moved 
• overpowered www.thesaurus.com