overwhelming

[ oh-ver-hwel-ming, -wel- ]

adjective

1. that overwhelms; overpowering:

   The temptation to despair may become overwhelming.

2. so great as to render resistance or opposition useless:

   an overwhelming majority.

overwhelming

/ ˌəʊvəˈwɛlmɪŋ /

adjective

1. overpowering in effect, number, or force

Derived Forms

• ˌoverˈwhelmingly, adverb

Other Words From

• over·whelming·ly adverb
• over·whelming·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overwhelming¹

First recorded in 1565–75; overwhelm + -ing ²

Example Sentences

“I went from, I got a little bit of a head cold to I have cancer, and it was pretty overwhelming.”

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve always thought about all the stuff that’s produced in the fashion industry, it’s kind of overwhelming.

From Los Angeles Times

When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next?

From Slate

Ho’s argument aligns with the overwhelming consensus among legal scholars, historians, and courts.

From Slate

This is the overwhelming challenge facing humanity, and Trump’s gaslighting — dismissing it as “a hoax” — has been astonishingly effective in keeping it off the political stage.

From Salon

Related Words

• amazing
• astounding
• crushing
• devastating
• mind-boggling
• staggering
• stunning
• vast