overwhelm

Formsoverwhelms, overwhelming, overwhelmed

Pluraloverwhelms

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To fill someone with very strong feelings so they cannot think clearly.

   Like a wave of feeling so big you cannot stand up against it.

   Grief can overwhelm you when you least expect it.

   The good news overwhelmed her, and she burst into tears.

   Similarovercome, overpower, engulf, consume

2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To defeat someone completely by being much stronger or having greater force.

   Like ten kids pushing against one: there is no way to hold them back.

   The larger army could overwhelm the small town in hours.

   Their defense overwhelmed the visiting team in the second half.

   Similaroverpower, crush, overrun, rout, defeat

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To cover something completely by flowing or surging over it.

   Like a big wave washing right over a small rock until you cannot see it.

   Floodwaters can overwhelm whole villages within minutes.

   The rising tide overwhelmed the sandcastle on the beach.

   Similarswamp

4. 4
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The feeling of having too much to deal with all at once.

   Like a desk so piled with papers that you do not know where to start.

   Many new parents feel a sense of overwhelm in the first weeks.

   When the to-do list grows, overwhelm sets in quickly.

   Similaroverload, stress

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To cover something all over, or to pile things around it heavily.

   Like a blanket of leaves that hides the whole lawn in fall.

   Weeds can overwhelm a garden if you do not pull them.

   Sand overwhelmed the old road, covering it from view.

   Similarbury, engulf, smother, cover, swallow

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