overwhelm
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
overwhelms;
overwhelmed;
overwhelming
overwhelms;
overwhelmed;
overwhelming
Britannica Dictionary definition of OVERWHELM
[+ object]
1
:
to affect (someone) very strongly
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Grief overwhelmed her. = She was overwhelmed by grief. [=she felt grief so strongly that she was unable to think or act in a normal way]
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Her neighbor's kindness overwhelmed her. [=moved her deeply]
2
:
to cause (someone) to have too many things to deal with
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The many requests for assistance overwhelmed them. = They were overwhelmed by the many requests for assistance. [=they could not respond to the many requests for assistance because there were too many]
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Don't overwhelm him with facts.
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They were overwhelmed with work.
3
:
to defeat (someone or something) completely
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The city was overwhelmed by the invading army.
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She was overwhelmed at the polls. [=she was badly defeated in the election]
4
:
to cover over (something) completely with water
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The boat was overwhelmed [=engulfed] by a huge wave.
