Definition of "overwhelm" []

To surge over and submerge; engulf: waves overwhelming the rocky shoreline. (verb-transitive)
To defeat completely and decisively: Our team overwhelmed the visitors by 40 points. (verb-transitive)
To affect deeply in mind or emotion: Despair overwhelmed me. (verb-transitive)
To present with an excessive amount: They overwhelmed us with expensive gifts. (verb-transitive)
To turn over; upset: The small craft was overwhelmed by the enormous waves. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "overwhelm" in a sentence

"I do know that many small biz owners are in overwhelm and looking for a way out."
"Can the national trend against anyone with a "D" after his or her name overwhelm local events?"
"And then she gets angry and upset and the combination of her frustration and the pain overwhelm her and she cries and cries and cries and then curls up into a tired little ball and MY."

Words like "overwhelm"

burden bury charge cover

crush elm helm ingulf

overpower overwhelmed overwhelming overwhelms

saddle spread over whelm