overpower

USAGE SUMMARY

"overpower" is a valid word in English and can be used in written English.
It is a verb which means to be more powerful than someone or something else or to dominate. Example sentence: The knight had to overpower the giant dragon to save the princess.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Snow, who has the air of James Bond's Q about him, insisted the new technology would aid the BBC's coverage, not overpower it.

The Guardian

This difference is exactly as it should be; most Scottish distillers don't even want new barrels since the flavours from the wood would overpower the character of their distillate.At the same time, many distillers are coming to see the value of introducing different woods into the maturation process.

The Economist

There's nothing to do but defeat this sort of evil, which is to say, to overpower it.

The Economist

He said that were an Abbott government in power it might have sent in the army's special forces to overpower them.(Picture credit: AFP).

The Economist

The re-indexing then occurs when the computer is relatively idle, which ensures that maintaining the file database does not overpower the system.

The Economist

Takayuki Kanda of the ATR Intelligent Robotics and Communication Laboratories in Kyoto says that collaborative, humanoid robots should generally be no larger than a six-year-old, a size most adults reckon they could overpower if necessary.

The Economist

If Mr Ambani is to become the great business leader he wants to be, he needs to let Reliance's progressive side overpower its darker one.

The Economist

While the mentholated petroleum jelly that pathologists and crime-scene workers sometimes use is designed to overpower unpleasant smells, OdorScreen interferes with the sense of smell itself.

The Economist

The most difficult and best-done parts relate to the voices of victims recorded in the moments before and after the attacks, such as the people in the South Tower reassuring loved ones, or the passengers on United Airlines flight 93 (which crashed in Pennsylvania) declaring their intention to overpower the hijackers.

The Economist

As Clive Irving wrote in the Daily Beast on Saturday, the important thing to remember here is that no statistic can "overpower the emotional response to flying".

The Economist

But an analysis by Dr Shindell and his colleague Gregory Faluvegi suggests that a typical coal-fired power station in China will take three decades to produce enough carbon dioxide to overpower the initial cooling effects of its sulphates.This may sound like a free solution to global warming but not if you have to breathe China's air.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Overpower" often suggests physical force or overwhelming strength, but it can also apply to less tangible scenarios like emotions or arguments. Ensure your choice aligns with the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "overpower" when a more nuanced term like "influence" or "affect" would be more appropriate. "Overpower" implies a significant imbalance of power, so ensure the context justifies this strong verb choice.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overpower" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It describes the action of gaining dominance or control, often through force or superior strength. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "overpower" functions as a verb that signifies dominance or control over something or someone, often through force. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is valid and frequently used. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias", it exhibits a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings depending on the context. Alternatives include "subdue", "conquer", and "overcome", each carrying subtle differences in meaning. When employing "overpower", ensure it aligns with the intended connotation of significant force or overwhelming strength. It is generally accepted and can be used confidently in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subdue

Implies a more controlled and lasting form of dominance.

conquer

Suggests a more forceful and potentially violent form of dominance, often in a military context.

overcome

Focuses on successfully dealing with a challenge or obstacle.

dominate

Indicates a sustained position of power and influence.

prevail over

Emphasizes winning against opposition or difficulty.

defeat

Highlights the act of winning against an opponent.

suppress

Indicates forcefully restraining or preventing something from acting.

quell

Suggests calming or subduing something that is agitated or disruptive.

vanquish

Implies a complete and decisive victory.

master

Denotes gaining complete control or skill in something.

FAQs

How is "overpower" typically used in a sentence?

"Overpower" is used to describe the act of gaining dominance or control over someone or something, often by force or superior strength. For example, "The army managed to "overpower" the enemy forces".

What are some synonyms for "overpower" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "subdue", "conquer", or "overcome" as synonyms for "overpower".

Is it correct to say "overpowering strength" or "overpowering force"?

Yes, it is correct. "Overpowering" is the adjective form of "overpower", and it is often used to describe something that is so strong that it cannot be resisted. "Overpowering strength" and "overpowering force" are common and acceptable phrases.

What's the difference between "overpower" and "overwhelm"?

"Overpower" implies gaining control or dominance through force or superior strength, while "overwhelm" suggests being flooded or overcome by a large amount of something, like emotions or tasks. The two words have different meanings and connotations.