we were overpowered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were overpowered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group or individual was defeated or overwhelmed by a stronger force or opponent. Example: "In the final moments of the game, we were overpowered by the opposing team, leading to our defeat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We were overpowered with size," Allan Houston said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Not that we're overpowering, but these guys know how to pitch," Collins said.

The New York Times - Sports

They were overpowered at least six times.

The Guardian

They were overpowered, outclassed and humbled.

The Guardian - Sport

Two grilled shrimps were overpowered by their limoncello marinade.

The New York Times

In March a few hundred protesters were overpowered by police; 14 are still in jail.

The Economist

Many of the clinical trials were overpowered or underpowered and had complex and multiple outcome measures.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

We live in an era where almost everything we own is overpowered.

TechCrunch

It took us over a year to rescue her, because every time we went in with forest police and local officers we would be overpowered by the villagers, who simply would not give her up.

Vice

"We will be overpowered and our men will be compelled to wander like vagabonds all over the earth, and as for our women, the horrors of their state we cannot contemplate in imagination".

The New York Times

As such, with 100 women per treatment group we will be overpowered for detecting a difference in fatigue and sufficiently powered to detect changes in key sleep measures.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were overpowered" to clearly convey that a group or entity was overcome by a stronger force, whether physical, strategic, or circumstantial. Ensure the context supports the use of a passive voice to emphasize the force acting upon the group.

Common error

Avoid using "overpowered" in an active voice construction when describing how a group overcame something, as it implies being overcome. Instead, use terms like "defeated", "conquered", or "overcame" to accurately describe the active achievement of victory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were overpowered" functions as a passive construction, describing a state of being overcome by a stronger force. It is often used to explain a defeat or a situation where resistance was impossible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were overpowered" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a group or entity was overcome by a stronger force. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts. It frequently appears in news and media sources, signifying its neutral register. When needing alternatives, consider phrases like "we were overwhelmed" or "we were defeated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were overwhelmed

Replaces "overpowered" with "overwhelmed", focusing on the feeling of being inundated rather than necessarily outmatched in strength.

we were defeated

A more direct synonym, simply stating that the group was beaten.

we were beaten

Similar to "defeated" but carries a slightly more informal tone.

we were subdued

Implies that the opposing force brought the group under control.

we were conquered

Suggests a more complete and decisive defeat, often with lasting implications.

we were crushed

Emphasizes the intensity and completeness of the defeat.

we were outmatched

Highlights the superior capabilities of the opposing force.

we were no match for them

States directly that the group could not compete with the opposing force.

we succumbed to their strength

Highlights that the opposing force was strong and the group gave up.

we were overtaken

Implies the opposing force advanced and passed, resulting in defeat.

FAQs

What does "we were overpowered" mean?

The phrase "we were overpowered" means that a group or entity was defeated or overwhelmed by a stronger force or opponent. It indicates a lack of ability to resist or overcome the opposing force.

What can I say instead of "we were overpowered"?

You can use alternatives like "we were overwhelmed", "we were defeated", or "we were beaten" depending on the context.

Is "we were overpowered" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were overpowered" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that the subject ("we") received the action of being overpowered.

How do I use "we were overpowered" in a sentence?

You can use "we were overpowered" in a sentence to describe a situation where your group or team was defeated by a stronger opponent. For example: "In the final moments of the game, we were overpowered by the opposing team, leading to our defeat."