overwhelming feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

"overwhelming feeling" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling that is intense, all-consuming, and difficult to control or manage. Example: She was overcome with an overwhelming feeling of joy when she saw her long-lost friend at the airport.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"My overwhelming feeling is I feel sick to my stomach," she said.

The Guardian

Her overwhelming feeling was of self-recognition.

Independent

It was definitely an overwhelming feeling.

The New York Times - Sports

The overwhelming feeling is rage, Robertson says.

The Guardian - Books

The overwhelming feeling is one of freedom.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The overwhelming feeling is of updated elegance.

The New York Times - Travel

My overwhelming feeling was: may this spirit of resistance last.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yes, she says, but her overwhelming feeling was pity.

The Guardian

By then, my overwhelming feeling was one of relief.

The Guardian - Music

It left me with one overwhelming feeling though.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The overwhelming feeling was one of terror," recalls Gardener.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overwhelming feeling" to accurately depict situations where an emotion or sensation is so strong it's difficult to manage or ignore. Be mindful of the context to ensure it appropriately conveys the intensity you intend.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelming feeling" when the emotion or sensation is only mildly intense. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Opt for words like "strong" or "noticeable" instead in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overwhelming feeling" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particularly intense emotional or physical sensation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase for expressing a potent emotional experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Music

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelming feeling" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that effectively conveys a strong and intense emotion or sensation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its frequency is high across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Sports reporting. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intensity of the emotion you intend to describe, and avoid overuse in mild contexts. Consider alternatives like "intense sensation" or "powerful emotion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all-consuming feeling

Focuses on how the feeling dominates one's thoughts and experiences.

powerful feeling

Directly swaps "overwhelming" with "powerful" to convey strength and impact.

powerful emotion

Substitutes "feeling" with "emotion", highlighting the affective nature of the experience, and "powerful" conveys the intensity.

intense emotion

Similar to "great emotion", but with a slightly stronger connotation of intensity.

intense sensation

Replaces "feeling" with "sensation" to emphasize the physical aspect of the experience, while "intense" captures the strength of the feeling.

great emotion

A simpler alternative, replacing "overwhelming" with "great" to indicate strong emotion.

profound sense

Emphasizes the deep and significant nature of the feeling or awareness.

unbearable sensation

Highlights the intensity of the feeling to the point where it becomes difficult to endure.

uncontrollable urge

Focuses on the compelling and difficult-to-resist aspect of the feeling or impulse.

consuming passion

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the feeling, often associated with strong desires or interests.

FAQs

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

You can use "overwhelming feeling" to describe a very strong emotion or sensation. For example, "She experienced an overwhelming feeling of joy when she received the award" or "He was struck by an overwhelming feeling of sadness after the news".

What are some alternatives to "overwhelming feeling"?

Alternatives to "overwhelming feeling" include "intense sensation", "powerful emotion", or "all-consuming feeling". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "overwhelming feeling of emotion"?

Yes, saying "overwhelming feeling of emotion" can be redundant because "feeling" already implies emotion. It's generally better to simply use "overwhelming feeling" or specify the emotion, such as "overwhelming feeling of joy".

What's the difference between "overwhelming feeling" and "strong feeling"?

"Overwhelming feeling" suggests a more intense and potentially difficult-to-manage emotion compared to a "strong feeling". "Overwhelming" implies a sense of being overpowered by the emotion.