overwhelmed
adjective
over·whelmed
ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)welmd 
1
: overcome by force or numbers
Some jurisdictions are so overwhelmed that they are experimenting with routing school-children into specially designed courts that would keep first-time offenders from being saddled with an arrest record.—
Gary Fields and John R. Emshwiller
Gary Fields and John R. EmshwillerOnly three Coast Guard rescue helicopters had managed to get into the air, and each was already overwhelmed by dozens of calls for help.—Christopher Cooper and Robert Block
Christopher Cooper and Robert Block"We were overwhelmed," said John Robinson, the Rams' coach. "Clearly dominated."—Paul Zimmerman
Paul Zimmerman2
: completely overcome or overpowered by thought or feeling
When he first appeared in full regalia, I was overwhelmed.—Jane Davison
Jane DavisonSuddenly he felt overwhelmed by a wash of terror.—Holly Black
Holly BlackHe finds that the institutions that might compensate for what overwhelmed parents are unable to do are themselves undermined by stingy public policies.—Lisbeth B. Schorr
Lisbeth B. SchorrExamples of overwhelmed in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Smart, capable students are left overwhelmed by the very things they were told a degree would prepare them for.
—Francine A. Lefrak, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
Now that plan is becoming overwhelmed and is in dire financial straits.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Prioritizing Hiring Fit Over Pressing Demands Many leaders are too overwhelmed by current demands to plan for future growth.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Colquitt was overwhelmed when the Lamar Hunt Trophy, the AFC’s top prize named for the Chiefs’ founder, was presented to Clark Hunt for the first time.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
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Francine A. Lefrak, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025
Now that plan is becoming overwhelmed and is in dire financial straits.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Prioritizing Hiring Fit Over Pressing Demands Many leaders are too overwhelmed by current demands to plan for future growth.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Colquitt was overwhelmed when the Lamar Hunt Trophy, the AFC’s top prize named for the Chiefs’ founder, was presented to Clark Hunt for the first time.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overwhelmed
Cite this Entry
“Overwhelmed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overwhelmed. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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