Overrun: meaning, definitions and examples
🏃♂️
overrun
[ ˌoʊvərˈrʌn ]
invasion
To invade a place or area in large numbers, overwhelming the defenses and taking control.
Synonyms
capture, invade, occupy, overwhelm.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
overrun |
Use this word when describing a situation where something has spread or taken up space excessively, often beyond control. It's usually not used in a military context.
|
invade |
Utilize this word when referring to an aggressive entry into a place, often with the intention of taking control. It usually has a negative connotation and is often used in a military or personal space context.
|
overwhelm |
It's best used when describing a situation where someone or something is overpowered by a force or quantity that is too large to handle. It usually conveys a sense of stress or difficulty.
|
occupy |
This word is suitable when referring to taking control or possession of an area, sometimes without permission but not necessarily through aggression. It can be used in both physical and abstract senses.
|
capture |
This term is best used when something is taken or caught, often with a sense of control or confinement. It can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- They planned to overrun the enemy camp at dawn.
- The soldiers quickly overran the city, capturing key strategic points.
- The enemy forces managed to overrun our position, forcing us to retreat.
- The enemy troops are attempting to overrun our defenses.
spread
To spread over or cover a place or surface in a rapid and uncontrollable manner.
Synonyms
cover, infest, inundate, spread over.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
overrun |
Use this word when something or someone takes over a place or thing completely, often more than expected or wanted. It can have a slightly negative connotation.
|
spread over |
This phrase is useful for describing something that extends itself over an area, often gradually. It generally has a neutral connotation.
|
cover |
This term is appropriate when you want to describe something that is placed over a surface so that it is no longer visible.
|
infest |
This word is used primarily to describe pests or undesirable creatures that invade a place in large numbers. It carries a negative connotation.
|
inundate |
This word is used when something is flooded or overwhelmed with a large amount of water, information, or tasks. It can have a negative or neutral connotation depending on the situation.
|
Examples of usage
- The vines quickly overran the garden, choking out other plants.
- The weeds have overrun the lawn, making it difficult to maintain.
- If left unchecked, the mold will overrun the entire house.
excess
An excessive amount of something beyond what is needed or desired.
Synonyms
excess, overabundance, overflow, surplus.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
overrun |
Typically used to describe a situation where something has spread out or expanded beyond its normal or intended limits. Often used with negative connotations when something undesirable, like pests or enemies, has taken over an area.
|
excess |
Used to indicate more than the necessary or desired amount of something. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts, often depending on what is given in excess.
|
surplus |
Indicates an amount that is more than what is needed, often used in economic or resource contexts to describe extra goods, money, or supplies. It usually does not carry a negative connotation.
|
overflow |
Refers to a situation where something is so full that it spills over the edges. Often used literally for liquids but can also be used metaphorically for emotions or other intangible concepts.
|
overabundance |
Denotes a quantity that is overwhelmingly more than needed, typically used in a negative sense to describe an unnecessary or wasteful amount.
|
Examples of usage
- There was an overrun of expenses in the project, leading to budget issues.
- The company faced an overrun of orders during the holiday season.
- The project experienced a time overrun due to unexpected delays.
Translations
Translations of the word "overrun" in other languages:
🇵🇹 invadir
- ultrapassar
- exceder
🇮🇳 अतिक्रमण करना
- पार करना
- अधिक होना
🇩🇪 überrennen
- überschreiten
- überfluten
🇮🇩 mengambil alih
- melebihi
- melampaui
🇺🇦 переповнювати
- перевищувати
- захоплювати
🇵🇱 przepełniać
- przekraczać
- zalać
🇯🇵 圧倒する
- 超える
- あふれる
🇫🇷 envahir
- dépasser
- inonder
🇪🇸 invadir
- superar
- desbordar
🇹🇷 istila etmek
- aşmak
- taşmak
🇰🇷 넘치다
- 초과하다
- 침략하다
🇸🇦 تجاوز
- اجتاح
- فاض
🇨🇿 překročit
- zaplavit
- přemoci
🇸🇰 prekročiť
- zaplaviť
- premôcť
🇨🇳 侵占
- 超过
- 溢出
🇸🇮 preseči
- preplaviti
- zavzeti
🇮🇸 yfirgnæfa
- fara fram úr
- flæða yfir
🇰🇿 басып кіру
- асып кету
- толып кету
🇬🇪 დაჭერა
- გადაჭარბება
- წალეკვა
🇦🇿 işğal etmək
- aşmaq
- daşmaq
🇲🇽 invadir
- superar
- desbordar
Etymology
The word 'overrun' originated from the combination of 'over' and 'run', dating back to the 14th century. Originally used in military contexts to describe the act of overwhelming enemy defenses, the term has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings related to invasion, spread, and excess. Over time, 'overrun' has become a versatile word used in various contexts to convey the idea of overwhelming, covering, or exceeding limits.
See also: outrun, run, runaway, runnable, runner, runners, running, runoff, runs, runtime, runway.