overpower

verb

over·​pow·​er ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r 

overpowered; overpowering; overpowers

transitive verb

1

: to overcome by superior force : subdue

2

: to affect with overwhelming intensity

the stench overpowered us

3

: to provide with more power than is needed or desirable

a dangerously overpowered car

overpoweringly

ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of overpower

• subdue
• dominate
• conquer
• subject
• defeat

Examples of overpower in a Sentence

She was able to overpower her attacker.

The police overpowered the man and handcuffed him.

The troops were overpowered by the stronger enemy forces.

His personality overpowers everyone else's.

The delicate taste of the wine was overpowered by the spiciness of the food.

Recent Examples on the Web

The initial Israeli reaction to the incident — in which an Omani pilot allegedly attacked the flight’s captain with an axe and tried to seize control of the plane before being overpowered by passengers — was relief. — Charlene Gubash, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026

The graphic pattern has enough personality to perk up a room without overpowering it. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026

The scent is pleasant, but not overpowering, and the tint is subtle. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

The plane rapidly lost altitude before Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to enter and overpower al Hammami. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overpower

• candlepower
• cauliflower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower
• manpower

Kids Definition

overpower

verb

over·​pow·​er ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r 

1

: to overcome by greater force : defeat

2

: overwhelm sense 2

overpowered by hunger

overpoweringly

-ˈpau̇r-iŋ-lē 

adverb