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

Riding high with a 7-2 record and playing against an undermanned and seemingly overwhelmed team, the Lakers got boat raced by Atlanta on Nov. 8.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After building her online community on her Instagram page GlosBudgetMum, Ms Spurrier said she realised that many other parents also felt "overwhelmed and overstretched".

Read more on BBC

Heavy monsoon rain overwhelmed swaths of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia this week, leaving thousands of people stranded without shelter or critical supplies.

Read more on Barron's

Heavy monsoon rain overwhelmed parts of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia this week, killing more than 300 people and leaving thousands stranded, many on rooftops awaiting rescue.

Read more on Barron's

Yet lately I’ve felt overwhelmed—exhausted by sustained fear, grief, chaos and, yes, frustration.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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