overwhelming

[ oh-ver-hwel-ming, -wel- ]
See synonyms for overwhelming on Thesaurus.com
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 of overwhelming

1
First recorded in 1565–75; overwhelm + -ing2

Other words from overwhelming

  • o·ver·whelm·ing·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·whelm·ing·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for overwhelming

overwhelming

/ (ˌəʊvəˈwɛlmɪŋ) /


adjective
  1. overpowering in effect, number, or force

Derived forms of overwhelming

  • overwhelmingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012