verb
Freq #1371584
Meanings
-
1
verb
to overpower, subdue, or overcome completely, especially through superior force or intense emotion
A sudden fear overmastered him before he could open the door.
Thesaurus
Etymology
Formed from over- + master. Here over- conveys superiority or excess, and the verb master means to gain control of. To overmaster is therefore to gain complete control over a person, force, impulse, or competing influence.