Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Overwhelm
Oˊver-whelm′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Overwhelmed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Overwhelming
.] 1.
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. Ps. lxxviii. 53.
Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath
overwhelmed
me. Ps. lv. 5.
Foul deeds will rise,
Though all the earth
Though all the earth
o’erwhelm
them. Shakespeare
Gaza yet stands; but all her sons are fallen,
All in a moment
All in a moment
overwhelmed
and fallen. Milton.
2.
To project or impend over threateningly.
His louering brows
o'erwhelming
his fair sight. Shakespeare
3.
To cause to surround, to cover.
Papin.
O′ver-whelmˊ
,Noun.
The act of overwhelming.
[R.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Overwhelm
OVERWHELM'
, v.t.1.
To overspread or crush beneath something violent and weighty, that covers or encompasses the whole; as, to overwhelm with waves.2.
To immerse and bear down; in a figurative sense; as, to be overwhelmed with cares, afflictions or business.3.
To overlook gloomily.4.
To put over. [Not used.]Definition 2024
overwhelm
overwhelm
English
Verb
overwhelm (third-person singular simple present overwhelms, present participle overwhelming, simple past and past participle overwhelmed)
- To engulf, surge over and submerge.
- The dinghy was overwhelmed by the great wave.
- To overpower, crush.
- In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force.
- Bible, Psalms lxxviii. 53
- The sea overwhelmed their enemies.
- To overpower emotionally.
- He was overwhelmed with guilt.
- Joy overwhelmed her when she realized that she had won a million dollars.
- To cause to surround, to cover.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Papin to this entry?)
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
engulf, surge-over
|
to overpower, crush
|
overpower emotionally
Noun
overwhelm (plural overwhelms)
- The state or condition of being overwhelmed.
- 1999, Jason Holmgren, Ironclaw
- If you beat your opponent by a margin of 5 or more, you have Overwhelmingly Succeeded. This type of success is often simply called an Overwhelm. […] An overwhelm means you've not only succeeded, but you've done something better than the average success would be.
- 2015, Rolf Dane, Deep Clearing, Releasing the Power of Your Mind
- The fact is, that full permeation and understanding of an overwhelm or trauma makes it cease as an overwhelm or trauma.
- 1999, Jason Holmgren, Ironclaw