Overwhelm
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlm/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo cover or bury someone or something completely; to defeat someone completely.
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlm/
To bury or drown beneath a huge mass.
The tsunami overwhelmed the coastal towns, leaving devastation in its wake.
💡 Simply: When something totally takes over you, like a huge wave that splashes over you at the beach. It's like you're completely covered or taken over by something.
👶 For kids: When something is too much for you, like too many toys to pick up.
More Examples
The company was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of orders during the holiday season.
The emotional intensity of the situation overwhelmed her.
How It's Used
"The sudden flood overwhelmed the village."
To affect someone very strongly.
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlm/
To give someone too much of something.
She was overwhelmed with joy at the news.
💡 Simply: When you feel like you have too much to handle, like too much homework, too many worries, or too many feelings. It's like your mind is full and can't take any more.
👶 For kids: When you have too many things to do or feel too many feelings all at once!
More Examples
The complexity of the project overwhelmed him.
The sudden sadness overwhelmed her.
How It's Used
"The manager was overwhelmed by the number of complaints from the customers."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
overwhelmed with joy
Filled with immense happiness.
"She was overwhelmed with joy when she saw her family."
overwhelmed by the situation
Unable to cope with the circumstances.
"The firefighters were overwhelmed by the situation, trying to manage the fires."
From Middle English overwhelmmen, from Old English oferwhelman ('to overturn, submerge'), from ofer ('over') + hwelman ('to turn over').
The word 'overwhelm' has been used since the 16th century to describe the action of being overcome or submerged by something.
Memory tip
Imagine a tidal wave coming over a tiny boat. The wave OVERWHELMS the boat.
Word Origin
"to overturn, submerge"