completely overwhelming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely overwhelming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, feeling, or experience that is intensely powerful or difficult to manage. Example: "The amount of information presented at the conference was completely overwhelming, leaving many attendees feeling lost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"It's completely overwhelming".

The New York Times

"It's completely overwhelming," he said.

The New York Times

It can be completely overwhelming".

The New York Times

It's completely overwhelming in a new job where no one can tell you how anything works.

The Guardian - Sport

Foster is yet to hear back from Halfon, but the response from supporters has been "completely overwhelming," Dobrin said.

The Guardian - Money

"[This is] completely overwhelming and I don't actually know what to do with myself!" Smith told the Official Charts Company.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

First of all, overwhelming research shows that giving children multiple vaccinations at once is completely safe.

Huffington Post

"It's totally overwhelming".

The New York Times

Even though it is doubtful that most variants are fully penetrant and thus sufficient to explain causality completely, the overwhelming evidence is that in more than a quarter of cases, whole-exome sequencing can identify necessary deleterious variants [ 101, 102].

Genome Medicine

Sound overwhelming?

The New York Times - Tech

There were times when it seemed completely impossible and overwhelming, but heading to the pub with friends after a day of dealing with bugs is always a great remedy.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex situation, use "completely overwhelming" to convey the feeling of being burdened beyond one's capacity to manage. For example, "The volume of data was so high it became completely overwhelming."

Common error

While "completely overwhelming" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader interest. Consider alternatives like "utterly overpowering" or "wholly consuming" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely overwhelming" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It serves to amplify the degree to which something is overwhelming. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Huffington Post

12%

TechCrunch

2%

SEP

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely overwhelming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a sense of intense burden or being overpowered. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for various contexts. While its usage is common across News & Media, science, and wiki sources, varying your vocabulary by using alternatives like "utterly overpowering" or "totally engulfing" can enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely crushing

Highlights the severity of being overwhelmed and defeated.

utterly overpowering

Emphasizes the sense of being dominated or subdued by something.

totally engulfing

Suggests being completely surrounded or consumed by a feeling or situation.

absolutely staggering

Highlights the astonishment and disbelief caused by something extraordinary.

wholly consuming

Focuses on the all-encompassing nature of an experience or emotion.

thoroughly unsettling

Emphasizes the disturbing and disquieting effect of something.

genuinely crushing

Highlights the severely dispiriting or disheartening nature of something.

unbearably intense

Focuses on the extreme level of strength or force.

incredibly daunting

Emphasizes the intimidating or discouraging aspect of a task or situation.

plainly devastating

Stresses the destructive or ruinous impact of something.

FAQs

How can I use "completely overwhelming" in a sentence?

You can use "completely overwhelming" to describe a situation or feeling that is too intense to handle. For instance, "The amount of paperwork was "completely overwhelming"." It suggests a sense of being burdened beyond one's ability to cope.

What are some alternatives to "completely overwhelming"?

Alternatives include "utterly overpowering", "totally engulfing", or "absolutely staggering", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "completely overwhelming"?

While "overwhelming" already implies a strong effect, using "completely" emphasizes the intensity. The phrase isn't strictly redundant, as it amplifies the feeling. You can use "utterly overpowering" instead.

When is it best to use "completely overwhelming" rather than simply "overwhelming"?

Use "completely overwhelming" when you want to emphasize the intensity or magnitude of the feeling or situation. It adds a layer of emphasis, suggesting a situation that's not just difficult, but utterly unmanageable. "wholly consuming" can be useful for this too.