overwhelm
/ˌəʊ.vəˈwɛlm/
UK: /-ˈʍɛlm/
əʊ · VƏWƐLM (2 syllables)
English
Verb Top 23,245
Ad
Definition
To engulf, surge over and submerge.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English overwhelmen, equivalent to over- + whelm.
Example Sentences
- "The dinghy was overwhelmed by the great wave."
- "In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force."
- "The sea overwhelmed their enemies."
Ad