Synonyms for

Overwhelming

Verb / ˌəʊvɜ:ˈwelmɪŋ / / ˌəʊvɜ:ˈhwelmɪŋ / Another word for overwhelming — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Overwhelming means very intense, powerful, or difficult to deal with.

Synonyms & similar words

overwhelm overmaster overpowering submerge overpower sweepover overtake overcome drown floodout consuming whelm deluge intense powerful enormous immense huge strong forceful compelling uncontrollable crushing devastating daunting burdensome taxing onerous formidable challenging difficult hard tough

Synonyms by register

Formal

inundating submerging crushing overpowering

Informal

a lot tons loads way too much

Literary

deluging engulfing submerging

Antonyms

manageable slight minor limited small underwhelming insignificant

Common collocations

  • overwhelming majority
  • overwhelmingly positive
  • overwhelming feeling
  • overwhelming evidence
  • overwhelming success
  • overwhelming force
  • overwhelmingly likely

Word family

noun overwhelm
verb overwhelm
adverb overwhelmingly

Usage note

Often used to describe a feeling or a quantity that is too great to be dealt with. Can sometimes be used hyperbolically in informal contexts.

Example sentences

  1. The amount of homework I have tonight is overwhelming.
  2. The smell of the flowers was overwhelming.
  3. The noise from the concert was overwhelming.
  4. The number of people at the party was overwhelming.
  5. The emotions I felt were overwhelming.

Quotes

  • The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.
  • The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
  • The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.

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