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overwhelming - 5 dictionary results

o⋅ver⋅whelm⋅ing

  [oh-ver-hwel-ming, -wel-]
Use overwhelming in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1565–75; overwhelm + -ing 2

Related forms:
o⋅ver⋅whelm⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
o⋅ver⋅whelm⋅ing⋅ness, noun

o⋅ver⋅whelm

  [oh-ver-hwelm, -welm]
–verb (used with object)
1. to overcome completely in mind or feeling: overwhelmed by remorse.
2. to overpower or overcome, esp. with superior forces; destroy; crush: Roman troops were overwhelmed by barbarians.
3. to cover or bury beneath a mass of something, as floodwaters, debris, or an avalanche; submerge: Lava from erupting Vesuvius overwhelmed the city of Pompeii.
4. to load, heap, treat, or address with an overpowering or excessive amount of anything: a child overwhelmed with presents; to overwhelm someone with questions.
5. to overthrow.
Origin:
1300–50; ME; see over-, whelm
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To overwhelming
o·ver·whelm   (ō'vər-hwělm', -wělm')   
tr.v.   o·ver·whelmed, o·ver·whelm·ing, o·ver·whelms
  1. To surge over and submerge; engulf: waves overwhelming the rocky shoreline.
    1. To defeat completely and decisively: Our team overwhelmed the visitors by 40 points.
    2. To affect deeply in mind or emotion: Despair overwhelmed me.
  3. To present with an excessive amount: They overwhelmed us with expensive gifts.
  4. To turn over; upset: The small craft was overwhelmed by the enormous waves.
o·ver·whelm·ing   (ō'vər-hwěl'mĭng, -wěl'-)   
adj.  Overpowering in effect or strength: overwhelming joy; an overwhelming majority.
o'ver·whelm'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Overwhelming

O`ver*whelm"ing\, a. Overpowering; irresistible. -- O`ver*whelm"ing*ly, adv.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : overwhelming
Spanish: aplastante; abrumador, agobiante; irresistible,
German: überwältigend,
Japanese: 圧倒的な
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