overwhelmed

American  

[oh-ver-hwelmd, -welmd] / ˌoʊ vərˈʰwɛlmd, -ˈwɛlmd /

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.

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• unoverwhelmed adjective

Etymology

Origin of overwhelmed

overwhelm ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Pelicot said the letter, which left her "overwhelmed", was now framed in her office.

From BBC

Community members had been putting out fires due to firefighters being "overwhelmed", Jones said, as well as helping tourists who did not have access to food.

From BBC

French rescue centres have been overwhelmed, with sick birds being transferred across the national wildlife network to relieve the most overstretched facilities.

From BBC

Loving and patient, she was often overwhelmed by her family duties.

From The Wall Street Journal

The best that can be said for the officers in charge is that they were unimaginative, by-the-book commanders overwhelmed by their responsibilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affected
• devastated
• moved
• overpowered