OVERWHELM • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Overwhelm

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/ˌoʊvərwˈɛlm/ /ˌoʊvərhwˈɛlm/ Listen

verb

Overwhelm v. t. (past & past part. overwhelmed; pres. part. overwhelming)

To cover over completely, as by a great wave; to overflow and bury beneath; to ingulf; hence, figuratively, to immerse and bear down; to overpower; to crush; to bury; to oppress, etc., overpoweringly. "The sea overwhelmed their enemies." "Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me." "Foul deeds will rise, Though all the earth o'erwhelm them." "Gaza yet stands; but all her sons are fallen, All in a moment overwhelmed and fallen."

To project or impend over threateningly. "His louering brows o'erwhelming his fair sight."

To cause to surround, to cover.

noun

Overwhelm n. The act of overwhelming. (R.)

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Etymology of 'Overwhelm'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Overwhelm" Quotes from Famous Books

... this estimate as to the number of troops necessary, he suggestively adds that "in proportion to the numbers used will be the lives saved; and as we have such numbers pressing to be allowed to serve, might it not be well to overwhelm and conquer as much by the show of force as by ...

— The Great Conspiracy, Complete • John Alexander Logan

... the name of Maskull, and the other in that of Nightspore. That's nearly all that I know about them, so don't overwhelm ...

— A Voyage to Arcturus • David Lindsay

... taken against the impending danger. The simple establishing of a front of two regiments toward the west when half his command would hardly have been sufficient, unless protected by works of some kind, was perfectly idle as a barrier against the torrent about to overwhelm the Eleventh Corps. So far as I can ascertain, only two companies were thrown out on picket, and they were unsupported by grand guards, so that they did not detain the enemy a moment, and the rebels and our pickets all came in together. Great stress has been laid upon the fact that Howard did have ...

— Chancellorsville and Gettysburg - Campaigns of the Civil War - VI • Abner Doubleday

... release. Look at the sufferings which come upon us from our narrow and limited experience and sympathy. We each stand quite alone, a solitary unit, a pygmy in the world. What good fortune can we expect? The great life of the world rushes by, and we are in danger each instant that it will overwhelm us or even utterly destroy us. There is no defence to be offered to it; no opposition army can be set up, because in this life every man fights his own battle against every other man, and no two can be united under the ...

— Light On The Path and Through the Gates of Gold • Mabel Collins

... crucial moments of life our minds fasten upon the locality where joys or sorrows overwhelm us. Charles noticed with minute attention the box-borders of the little garden, the yellow leaves as they fluttered down, the dilapidated walls, the gnarled fruit-trees,—picturesque details which were destined ...

— Eugenie Grandet • Honore de Balzac

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