Overwhelming Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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overwhelming
[ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ ]
Definitions
feeling
Very intense or great in amount. Causing someone to feel very strong emotions.
Synonyms
crushing, enormous, immense, intense, powerful.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| overwhelming |
Used when something is so great that it causes someone to feel unable to cope or is emotionally overpowering.
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| intense |
Used to describe something that is extreme or strong in emotion, degree, or concentration.
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| powerful |
Used to describe something or someone that has a lot of strength or influence.
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| enormous |
Used to describe something that is very large in size, amount, or degree, often literal but can be figurative.
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| immense |
Used to describe something extremely large or great, usually implying magnitude and awe.
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| crushing |
Used to describe something that causes a feeling of being pressed down or burdened heavily, often having a negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- The support we received was overwhelming.
- She felt overwhelming joy when she saw her family.
action
Defeat completely.
Synonyms
conquer, crush, defeat, overpower, subdue.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| overwhelming |
Use when describing something too large, strong, or intense to handle or resist.
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| defeat |
Use when someone wins or makes another lose, often in games, competitions, or wars.
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| crush |
Often used in a negative sense, implying destruction or defeat with significant force.
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| overpower |
Use when someone is physically or mentally stronger and takes control.
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| subdue |
Use when calming someone down or bringing a situation under control, often through force.
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| conquer |
Use when speaking about taking control or overcoming obstacles, often in a positive sense.
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Examples of usage
- The team overwhelmed their opponents with their strong offense.
- The feeling of loneliness overwhelmed her.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Emotional Impact
- People often describe feelings of stress and anxiety as overwhelming when they have too many tasks or worries.
- Overwhelming can also refer to positive experiences, such as joy or love, which can be so strong it's hard to contain.
Psychology
- Feeling overwhelmed can trigger the body's fight-or-flight response, leading to increased heart rate and stress hormones.
- Cognitive overload occurs when the brain receives too much information at once, causing confusion and difficulty in decision-making.
Cultural References
- The term is often used in music and art to describe experiences that evoke strong emotions, such as in ballads or dramatic paintings.
- In literature, protagonists frequently experience overwhelming odds, highlighting themes of struggle and resilience.
Everyday Life
- Many people report feeling overwhelmed during significant life events, such as moving homes, starting new jobs, or planning weddings.
- Overwhelming situations can be alleviated by breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable parts.
Inspirational Contexts
- Personal growth often involves feeling overwhelmed at first, as individuals confront new challenges and expand their comfort zones.
- In motivational speeches, overcoming feelings of overwhelm is frequently emphasized as a stepping stone to success.
Origin of 'overwhelming'
The word 'overwhelming' originated from the Middle English word 'overwhelmen' which means to submerge or engulf. The term has evolved over time to signify a feeling of being overcome by a force or emotion. The concept of being overwhelmed by powerful emotions or a large amount of something has been a common human experience throughout history.