Overwhelm Meaning in English

word

US

ˌoʊvɝˈwɛɫm/, /ˌoʊvɝhˈwɛɫm

oh-ver-WELM

UK

ˌəʊvəwˈɛlm

oh-vuh-WELM

Definition

To make someone feel so much emotion, stress, or work that it is hard to cope; can also mean to defeat completely.

Usage & Nuances

Usually formal or semi-formal. Common with feelings ('overwhelm with emotion'), workload ('overwhelmed by work'), or situations. Less often used for physical conquest. Compare to 'overpower' (force) and 'overload' (too much work or info).

• Spanish: abrumar - agobiar
• Portuguese (BR): sobrecarregar - esmagar (sentimentos)
• Portuguese (PT): sobrecarregar - esmagar (sentimentos)
• Chinese (Simplified): 使不知所措 - 压倒
• Chinese (Traditional): 使不知所措 - 壓倒
• Hindi: अभिभूत कर देना - दबा देना
• Arabic: يغمر - يربك
• Bengali: অভিভূত করা - দমিয়ে ফেলা
• Russian: ошеломить - подавлять
• Japanese: 圧倒する
• Vietnamese: làm cho choáng ngợp - áp đảo
• Korean: 압도하다
• Turkish: ezmek - bunaltmak
• Urdu: غلبہ کرنا - مغلوب کرنا
• Indonesian: mengalahkan - membebani

Example Sentences

Too much homework can overwhelm students.

basic

Loud noises can overwhelm small children.

basic

I don't want to overwhelm you with too much information.

basic

She was overwhelmed with joy when she saw her family again.

natural

I get overwhelmed whenever everything happens at once.

natural

His kindness can really overwhelm you if you’re not used to it.

natural