1
as in to invade
to enter for conquest or plunder
waves of barbarians overran the Roman Empire during its long decline
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2
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overrun
Jim Desmond, Oc Register, 15 July 2025
As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
The stage was overrun by perhaps more honorees than had ever taken the Press Club’s stage simultaneously before when a Special Award for Stellar Coverage of the 2020 Wildfires was accepted by news directors for all of L.A.’s local TV stations.
—William Earl, Variety, 23 June 2025
When Covid-19 decimated the 2020 thru-hiking season, the worry was that potentially sick hikers could overrun a town like Hot Springs, where resources are low and hospitals are an hour away.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Adjective
He’s had seven years to secure our border — and instead, it’s been overrun.
—Jim Desmond, Oc Register, 15 July 2025
As officials bickered over who had the right to investigate, the crime scene was overrun by gawkers who pocketed souvenirs and tampered with crucial evidence — including an unknown man’s handkerchief, a pair of glasses and the gun used in the murder.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
The stage was overrun by perhaps more honorees than had ever taken the Press Club’s stage simultaneously before when a Special Award for Stellar Coverage of the 2020 Wildfires was accepted by news directors for all of L.A.’s local TV stations.
—William Earl, Variety, 23 June 2025
When Covid-19 decimated the 2020 thru-hiking season, the worry was that potentially sick hikers could overrun a town like Hot Springs, where resources are low and hospitals are an hour away.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrun
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrun
Verb
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The men’s national team has been invaded by foreigners.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
14 July 2025
-
Russia has suffered about a million casualties in its attempt to invade.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The asylum process in Mexico is supposed to take about three months, said Mejía from UNHCR, but the number of cases exceeds the capacity of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid to process them.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
That number far exceeds any other program nationwide.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Mohammad Omar had been plagued with medical problems since birth.—
Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou,
CNN Money,
22 July 2025
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That’s the kind of problem that leads to the rodent Rose Parade that’s plagued other restaurants on this street.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Thirty years later, in 2004, the Ramona Fire Department notified the ministry that overgrown weeds, considered a fire hazard, needed to be cleared from the property.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 July 2025
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Trim shrubs to improve airflow since overgrown shrubs and dense vegetation provide shade and moisture that chiggers like.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Federal agents raided four Colt Grill restaurant locations in Yavapai County and one in Foley, Alabama.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
19 July 2025
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Doyle and Dixon's homes have also been raided, WBRZ reported.—
Kerry Breen
July 16,
CBS News,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Interest payments are now the second-largest spending category in the federal budget, surpassing Medicare and defense in fiscal year 2024 and trailing only Social Security.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
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As of 2025, Hawkins says that social media has officially become the business’s main source of income, surpassing both classes and commissions.—
Tabitha Parent,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Verb
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If your tree is heavily infested and showing signs of stress, work to reduce the stress on the tree by supplying extra water as needed and avoid pruning and any activities such as construction that might cause root damage.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 July 2025
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The area is infested with mosquitoes and other insects.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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Editor’s tip: The property is set steps from the first section of the Bosque de Chapultepec, a verdant green space host to cobbled walkways perfect for running and the Castilo de Chapultepec, a historic hilltop castle that’s now the National Museum of History.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
13 July 2025
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Finally, the third gallery room attempts to project a cooler, more verdant future with walls colored a serene green hue.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrun. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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