overwhelmed
Americanadjective
-
completely overcome in mind or feeling.
She told the overwhelmed and sobbing mother she would take care of all medical expenses.
-
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.
-
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
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Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of overwhelmed
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.
"I think we've all been, I wouldn't say overwhelmed, but pleasantly surprised by the excitement and the buzz around the team, and in the stadiums," he said.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
“I think we’ve all been, I wouldn’t say overwhelmed, but possibly surprised by the excitement and the buzz,” said captain Tim Ream, who led the team onto the field.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
"I don't know what was going on in my head. Joy, surprise - so many emotions. I felt so overwhelmed," Chwalinska said.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
That way, goals like building an emergency fund or creating flexibility within one’s finances are easier to connect to, she said — and can also thwart the feeling of being overwhelmed.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
They had to take the bridge before Jason got overwhelmed.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
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.
