overwhelm */

overwhelm */
UK [ˌəʊvə(r)ˈwelm] / US [ˌoʊvərˈwelm] / US [ˌoʊvərˈhwelm] verb [transitive]
Word forms "overwhelm":
present tense I/you/we/they overwhelm he/she/it overwhelms present participle overwhelming past tense overwhelmed past participle overwhelmed
1)
a) to affect someone's emotions in a very powerful way

We were overwhelmed by the sacrifices they had made.

Her beauty completely overwhelmed him.

b) to surprise someone very much

We were overwhelmed by the result.

2) [usually passive] to exist in such great amounts that someone or something cannot deal with them

She was overwhelmed by expenses.

In June the town is overwhelmed by tourists.

3)
a) formal to defeat an opponent in a sport or game, especially by a lot of points, goals etc

Europe's golfers completely overwhelmed the Americans.

b) to defeat an enemy in a battle

Government troops have overwhelmed a rebel encampment.


English dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • overwhelm — [v1] flood, beat physically bury, conquer, crush, defeat, deluge, destroy, drown, drub*, engulf, inundate, massacre, overcome, overflow, overpower, overrun, overthrow, rout, smother, submerge, swamp, thrash, total*, whip*, win*; concepts 86,95… …   New thesaurus

  • Overwhelm — O ver*whelm , n. The act of overwhelming. [R.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Overwhelm — O ver*whelm , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Overwhelmed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Overwhelming}.] [1913 Webster] 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • overwhelm — I verb astonish, beat, besiege, bewilder, bury, confound, confuse, conquer, daze, defeat, deluge, demergere, destroy, discomfit, immerse, impress, inundate, master, obruere, opprimere, overcome, overpower, overrun, overthrow, quash, quell, shock …   Law dictionary

  • overwhelm — (v.) early 14c., to turn upside down, to overthrow, from OVER (Cf. over) + M.E. whelmen to turn upside down (see WHELM (Cf. whelm)). Meaning to submerge completely is mid 15c. Perhaps the connecting notion is a boat, etc., washed over, and… …   Etymology dictionary

  • overwhelm — ► VERB 1) submerge beneath a huge mass. 2) defeat completely; overpower. 3) have a strong emotional effect on. DERIVATIVES overwhelming adjective. ORIGIN from archaic whelm engulf or submerge , from Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • overwhelm — [ō΄vər hwelm′, ō΄vərwelm′] vt. [ME oferwhelmen: see OVER & WHELM] 1. to pour down upon and cover over or bury beneath 2. to make helpless, as with greater force or deep emotion; overcome; crush; overpower 3. Obs. to overthrow or overturn… …   English World dictionary

  • overwhelm — verb ADVERB ▪ absolutely, completely, totally ▪ quite, rather ▪ almost, nearly ▪ suddenly …   Collocations dictionary

  • overwhelm — [[t]o͟ʊvə(r)(h)we̱lm[/t]] overwhelms, overwhelming, overwhelmed 1) VERB If you are overwhelmed by a feeling or event, it affects you very strongly, and you do not know how to deal with it. [be V ed] He was overwhelmed by a longing for times past …   English dictionary

  • overwhelm — /oh veuhr hwelm , welm /, v.t. 1. to overcome completely in mind or feeling: overwhelmed by remorse. 2. to overpower or overcome, esp. with superior forces; destroy; crush: Roman troops were overwhelmed by barbarians. 3. to cover or bury beneath… …   Universalium

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