overwhelmingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'overwhelmingly' is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it to describe how someone feels, or to describe situations where something has a great effect. For example, "The crowd reacted overwhelmingly positively to the band's performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Overwhelmingly people have decided to make up their minds by reading the book, and we think sales will remain strong through to Christmas.

The Guardian - Books

Willis acknowledges that the number of people – overwhelmingly, women – seeking support from her organisation has increased since family violence survivor Rosie Batty's story made headlines.

The Guardian

But in Byron's day, thanks overwhelmingly to Byron, it was.

The Guardian - Books

English opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of Scots remaining in the UK.

The Guardian

Politicians in Northern Ireland will face intense pressure from LGBT rights campaigners to "catch up" with the rest of western Europe after the Irish Republic overwhelmingly backed same-sex marriage in a referendum.

The Guardian

2.37pm BST14:37 UN general assembly backs resolution on Syria The UN general assembly has overwhelmingly denounced Syria's crackdown and demanded the securing of its chemical and biological weapons.

The Guardian

If one of the sides were overwhelmingly stronger, they would overrun the other's positions.

The Guardian

Overwhelmingly, my desire was to melt in, not to disappear but just feel … well, less obvious.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have no idea how much any of this will matter, but the theatrics are overwhelmingly in Biden's favor, unless it's too confrontational for those watching.

The Guardian

They reveal an overwhelmingly masculine, patriarchal corporate culture, and point to the double burden of work and domestic responsibilities, the "anytime, anywhere" model of management and, a particular curse in the UK, the long hours working culture wired into city law firms.

The Guardian

It hasn't helped that his government's negotiating tactics have become overwhelmingly perceived as having more to do with posturing and lecturing than with readiness to find a compromise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overwhelmingly" to emphasize the magnitude or intensity of an effect or preference. For example, "The proposal was "overwhelmingly" approved by the committee", which strongly communicates the extent of the approval.

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelmingly" when a simpler adverb like 'mostly' or 'largely' would suffice. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Choose it when something truly has a powerful or major effect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overwhelmingly" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to intensify their meaning, indicating a very great degree or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overwhelmingly" is a versatile adverb used to express a very high degree or intensity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. To enrich your writing, consider alternatives such as "predominantly" or "mainly" for nuanced expression. Remember to reserve "overwhelmingly" for situations where the effect or preference is truly substantial to avoid diluting its impact. By avoiding overuse, you can ensure this adverb effectively conveys the strength and significance you intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost entirely

Emphasizes the near completeness of something, often in a descriptive or explanatory context.

predominantly

Indicates the main or most common element, focusing on prevalence rather than force.

mainly

Similar to 'predominantly', but suggests a greater simplicity or directness in the composition.

largely

Implies that something is mostly true but allows for significant exceptions or variations.

mostly

Like 'largely', but emphasizes a greater degree of approximation or estimation.

primarily

Stresses the initial or fundamental aspect of something, rather than overall impact.

for the most part

Similar to 'largely' or 'mostly', but often used to introduce a qualification or exception.

to a great extent

Highlights the degree to which something is influenced or affected.

in the majority of cases

Focuses on statistical prevalence, emphasizing that something is true more often than not.

with few exceptions

Highlights that although something applies to a certain extent, there are deviations from the pattern.

FAQs

How do I use "overwhelmingly" in a sentence?

Use "overwhelmingly" to describe something that is done to a very great degree or intensity. For example, "The evidence "overwhelmingly" supports the theory".

What are some synonyms for "overwhelmingly"?

Alternatives to "overwhelmingly" include "predominantly", "mainly", or "largely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "overwhelmingly" positive?

Yes, it's correct. It means that the positive aspects are very strong or present to a very great degree. For example, "The feedback was "overwhelmingly" positive".

What is the difference between "overwhelmingly" and "mostly"?

"Overwhelmingly" implies a stronger degree or intensity than "mostly". "Mostly" suggests a majority, while "overwhelmingly" suggests a near-total or exceptionally strong presence.