Overwhelming: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when something is so great that it causes someone to feel unable to cope or is emotionally overpowering.

• The support from the community was overwhelming
• She felt an overwhelming sense of relief

Used to describe something that is extreme or strong in emotion, degree, or concentration.

• The heat was intense
• Their competition was intense

Used to describe something or someone that has a lot of strength or influence.

• He delivered a powerful speech
• The storm was very powerful

Used to describe something that is very large in size, amount, or degree, often literal but can be figurative.

• They live in an enormous house
• He made an enormous effort to succeed

Used to describe something extremely large or great, usually implying magnitude and awe.

• The mountain range was immense
• She has immense talent in music

Used to describe something that causes a feeling of being pressed down or burdened heavily, often having a negative connotation.

• The loss was a crushing blow to his confidence
• She was under crushing pressure at work

Use when describing something too large, strong, or intense to handle or resist.

• The love and support from her friends were overwhelming
• The amount of information can be overwhelming for beginners

Use when someone wins or makes another lose, often in games, competitions, or wars.

• The local team was defeated by the champions
• He felt a deep sense of defeat after losing the debate

Often used in a negative sense, implying destruction or defeat with significant force.

• The team crushed their opponents in the finals
• His dreams were crushed when he didn't get the job

Use when someone is physically or mentally stronger and takes control.

• The hero managed to overpower the villain
• She was overpowered by the sheer intensity of the situation

Use when calming someone down or bringing a situation under control, often through force.

• The police were able to subdue the rioters
• He tried to subdue his anger during the argument

Use when speaking about taking control or overcoming obstacles, often in a positive sense.

• She conquered her fear of heights
• The army aimed to conquer the neighboring territory