overwhelming

1 of 2

adjective

over·​whelm·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)wel-miŋ 

: tending or serving to overwhelm

overwhelming force

overwhelming evidence

also : extreme, great

overwhelming indifference

an overwhelming majority

overwhelming

2 of 2

present participle of overwhelm

Examples of overwhelming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Barrera has the overwhelming advantage in independent expenditures — spending by outside groups on behalf of political candidates. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Therefore, Perriello needs overwhelming margins in Charlottesville while cutting into Republican advantages elsewhere. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026

After overwhelming demand for tickets, Duff announced new dates through November 2027, kicking off in Madrid in May 2027 and wrapping in Anaheim, California, next November. — Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026

The initiative pairs disaster survivors with independent case managers who help them with the overwhelming logistics that come with trying to recover from such a catastrophic event. — Brianna Sacks, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

overwhelming

adjective

over·​whelm·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈhwel-miŋ 

-wel-

: great sense 4, extreme

an overwhelming response

overwhelmingly adverb