overpowered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overpowered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is dominated or rendered ineffective by a stronger force or influence. Example: "In the final battle, the hero felt overpowered by the sheer number of enemies surrounding him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has the skills but was consistently overpowered by the bigger, stronger and more accomplished man.

The Guardian - Sport

On the Santacruz skywalk on the Western Express Highway, however, the experience is overpowered by the fumes and dust wafting up from the busy road beneath.

The Guardian

Ram was overpowered by the landowner and a group of other men.

The Guardian

The recordings from that flight could reveal whether reports are true that passengers, hearing that other aeroplanes had been crashed into the World Trade Centre, overpowered the hijackers to prevent them doing something equally murderous.The investigation has revealed how vulnerable an open, liberal, capitalist society can be.

The Economist

We overpowered the Taliban in Afghanistan, for a while.

The Economist

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was overpowered by fellow passengers after he attempted to detonate explosives on the plane, causing a fire.

The Economist

They were overpowered even in traditional heartlands like Scotland and the south-west, by the Scottish National Party (SNP) and their own erstwhile Conservative allies.

The Economist

The great fault of the dibblers is, that they put too many seeds in each dibble hole: if the seed is good, three or four grains, at most, are sufficient; of these one or two only will take the lead, and form the tuft; the others will be overpowered by the more vigorous.

The Economist

The oil sketches are full of frenetic motion, painted in dynamic brushstrokes, dripping with wind and weather, overpowered by the evocative skies he called "the chief organ of sentiment in a landscape".

The Economist

Iranian guards apparently overpowered the would-be hijacker in a mid-air shoot-out.

The Economist

Arguably it was also a sign that left-wing governments could be overpowered by international capital flows; flows that had been released with the end of the old Bretton Woods system.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about conflicts or competitions, use "overpowered" to emphasize the overwhelming strength or force that led to defeat. This adds impact and vividness to your description.

Common error

Avoid using "overpowered" passively when the agent of the action is unclear. Ensure the subject doing the overpowering is explicitly stated to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overpowered" is a verb in the past tense or as a past participle. It describes the action of subduing or overcoming someone or something with superior force or influence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "overpowered" is a versatile and frequently used verb form that effectively conveys the idea of being dominated or defeated by a stronger force. Ludwig AI confirms that "overpowered" is correct and usable in written English. With many examples drawn from news sources and encyclopedias, "overpowered" demonstrates its widespread applicability. It maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for varied writing contexts. When using "overpowered", ensure clarity by explicitly stating the agent of the action. Consider alternatives like "overwhelmed" or "defeated" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelmed

This alternative describes being completely overcome or buried by something, similar to being "overpowered" but emphasizing the feeling of being submerged.

defeated

Focuses specifically on the act of being beaten or conquered, rather than the process of being overwhelmed.

subdued

Implies a state of being brought under control or suppressed, similar to being "overpowered" but often used in contexts of resistance.

vanquished

A more formal and dramatic way of saying defeated, often used in historical or literary contexts.

suppressed

Indicates that something is forcibly put down or restrained, often used when discussing emotions or rebellions.

conquered

Similar to defeated, but often refers to gaining control over a territory or people.

mastered

Implies gaining control over something, often through skill or expertise, in contrast to being "overpowered" by something else.

dominated

Suggests a position of control or influence over someone or something, rather than a state of defeat.

overcome

Indicates successfully dealing with or gaining control over a problem or situation, contrasting with the idea of being "overpowered".

brought down

Implies causing the downfall or defeat of someone or something, focusing on the action rather than the state of being.

FAQs

How can I use "overpowered" in a sentence?

You can use "overpowered" to describe a situation where someone or something is dominated by a stronger force. For example: "The smaller army was "overpowered" by the enemy's superior numbers."

What can I say instead of "overpowered"?

You can use alternatives like "overwhelmed", "defeated", or "subdued" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "overpowered" or "overpowering"?

"Overpowered" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "overpower", while "overpowering" is the present participle and can be used as an adjective. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning and grammatical structure of the sentence.

What's the difference between "overpowered" and "overwhelmed"?

While both imply being overcome by something, "overpowered" suggests a direct application of force or strength, whereas "overwhelmed" indicates being burdened or buried by something, whether physical or emotional.