overwhelm

USAGE SUMMARY

The word overwhelm is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a feeling of being completely overwhelmed by something, or when trying to express the idea of being taken over by an intense emotion or situation. Example: The feeling of joy that she felt was overwhelming, as if she had just been struck by lightning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perusing the just-released new edition, I'd say his recipe for beating overwhelm remains better than anything anyone's concocted since.

The Guardian - Opinion

His plan was to create Lindsey Stone Tumblrs and LinkedIn pages and WordPress blogs and Instagram accounts and YouTube accounts to overwhelm that terrible photograph, wash it away in a tidal wave of positivity, away to a place on Google where normal people don't look – a place like page two of the search results.

The Guardian - Tech

Parma would go on to overwhelm Marseille 3-0 in the final in Moscow, with Baggio picking up his third winner's medal in the competition.

The Guardian - Sport

"You have to address the root cause, otherwise this trend is going to go on, and on, and on, and on, and it will overwhelm us," he said.

The Guardian

When more dangerous addictions took hold, the saga of Troubled Gazza began to overwhelm the footballer himself.

The Guardian - Sport

It will be destroyed by the inevitable disappointments of life, which overwhelm the delusion every generation has that theirs is special.

The Guardian

I know that late at night or at quiet moments in the day feelings of regret, memories that make you shine with pride, a sense of being unfulfilled can overwhelm you.

The Guardian

He worries that the thrill of the kill can all too easily overwhelm moral subtlety.

The Guardian - Opinion

He'd overwhelm his cravings by visualising a horrific memory of a cancer patient at Stanford's medical school, "on a gurney [stretcher], with x-marks on his head and exposed chest, being wheeled into radiation".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The pain returns in flashes, sharp and sudden, but it is no more likely to catch us on 3 May than on any other day, when hearing the first few bars of Recuerdos de la Alhambra, or the preamble to an England-Wales rugby match, might overwhelm us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Together, given the fact Americans collectively owe over $1.2tn in student loans, we may be able to overwhelm and transform the system.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotions, use "overwhelm" to convey a sense of being completely overtaken by a feeling, whether positive or negative. For example, "Joy overwhelmed her when she received the news."

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelm" when you simply mean 'surprise' or 'astonish'. "Overwhelm" carries a stronger connotation of being completely overcome, not just mildly surprised.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overwhelm" is as a verb, used to describe the action of something overpowering or engulfing something else. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from emotional states to physical forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelm" is a verb used to describe a state of being completely overpowered by something, be it emotions, forces, or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. Its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When writing, remember to use "overwhelm" to convey a strong sense of being overtaken, and avoid using it as a simple substitute for "surprise". Alternatives such as "overpower" or "engulf" can be used depending on the intended nuance. "Overwhelm" is considered a very common expression with a neutral formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overpower

Implies a stronger sense of force and control being exerted.

engulf

Conveys a sense of being surrounded and swallowed up.

submerge

Suggests being completely covered or immersed, often in a literal sense.

flood

Conveys a sense of abundance or excess, often with disruptive consequences.

crush

Indicates a destructive and forceful impact.

drown

Suggests being overwhelmed to the point of destruction or loss.

defeat

Focuses on overcoming an opponent or challenge.

overtake

Implies surpassing or catching up to something, often in a negative way.

burden

Suggests being weighed down or oppressed by something.

snow under

Informal expression suggesting to give someone more work or problems than they can deal with.

FAQs

How can I use "overwhelm" in a sentence?

You can use "overwhelm" to describe a situation where someone or something is completely overcome by a force or emotion. For example, "The sheer volume of emails threatened to overwhelm the support team."

What can I say instead of "overwhelm"?

You can use alternatives like "overpower", "submerge", or "engulf" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am overwhelmed by joy"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "I am overwhelmed by joy" means that you are completely filled with and overtaken by feelings of joy.

What is the difference between "overwhelm" and "burden"?

"Overwhelm" implies a complete takeover by something, while "burden" suggests being weighed down or oppressed. "Overwhelm" can be used for both positive and negative situations, but "burden" usually has negative connotations.