overwhelm

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To affect someone so strongly with a feeling that they cannot think or react clearly.

   She was overwhelmed with joy when she heard the good news.

2. 2
   verb

   To defeat someone completely using greater force or numbers.

   The enemy troops were overwhelmed by the larger army within hours.

3. 3
   verb

   To give someone far more work or things to deal with than they can handle.

   New employees are often overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive.

4. 4
   verb

   To flow over and cover something completely.

   The small boat was overwhelmed by the huge wave.

Inherited from Middle English overwhelmen, equivalent to over- + whelm.

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