overrun
verb (used with object)
to rove over (a country, region, etc.); invade; ravage.
was overrunning
-
past progressiveof overrun.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
A few hours earlier, the authorities had cut short Kraviz’s headline show at a nearby festival, claiming – incorrectly – that it was overrunning.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 12, 2018
The company’s concern was apparently not a sense of entitlement to free driving, but fear of the crime that was overrunning the city and its public spaces.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 1, 2016
France was overrunning Alsace, Russia was invading East Prussia and also sending uncountable thousands of soldiers, via Archangel, to England, whence they were being despatched to Calais for the relief of Belgium.
From Mrs. Warren's Daughter A Story of the Woman's Movement by Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston
One from New England was pushing out along the Mohawk valley into central New York; another from Pennsylvania and Virginia was pouring its population into Kentucky; the third from North Carolina was overrunning Tennessee.
From A Brief History of the United States by John Bach McMaster
At the same time Coote was overrunning Connaught and took possession of Sligo.
From An Illustrated History of Ireland from AD 400 to 1800 by Mary Frances Cusack
