Overwhelming
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsSo great as to be difficult to deal with; very large or intense.
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/
Causing great distress or difficulty; very large or intense.
The support for the proposal was overwhelming.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to carry too many groceries at once. If it's *overwhelming*, it's way too much to handle! It's like when you feel too stressed or something is just too much.
👶 For kids: When something is *overwhelming*, it's like there's too much of it, and it's hard to handle.
More Examples
The task seemed overwhelming at first, but she broke it down into smaller parts.
The emotional impact of the news was overwhelming.
How It's Used
"The overwhelming evidence pointed to his guilt."
"She felt an overwhelming sense of sadness."
"The company faced overwhelming debt."
To bury or drown beneath a huge mass.
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋ/
The act of causing someone to feel intense emotion.
She was overwhelmed with joy at the surprise party.
💡 Simply: Imagine a giant wave crashing over you at the beach - that feeling of being covered and struggling is the essence of feeling overwhelmed!
👶 For kids: When something is *overwhelming*, it's like it covers you up.
More Examples
The small town was overwhelmed by the influx of tourists.
The email inbox was overwhelming.
How It's Used
"He was overwhelmed by feelings of guilt."
"The army was overwhelmed by the enemy's superior numbers."
Synonyms
Astounding
Crushing
Formidable
Intense
Massive
Consume
Defeat
Flood
Idioms & expressions
Overwhelmed with joy
Experiencing a very strong and positive emotion.
"She was overwhelmed with joy when she received the good news."
Overwhelmed by work
To be completely burdened by work.
"I am feeling overwhelmed by work."
From Middle English *overwhelmen*, from Old English *oferwhelman* ('to submerge, cover over, overwhelm'), from *ofer* ('over') + *whelman* ('to turn over, cover').
The word 'overwhelming' has been used since the 16th century, initially to describe a physical covering or submerging, then evolving to mean overcoming or overpowering, and now, an intense emotion or situation.
Memory tip
Think of being *over* and *whelmed* by something - like a giant wave crashing over you.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: whelman