OVERPOWERING Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

overpowering 1 of 3

noun

as in dominating

the act or process of bringing someone or something under one's control the overpowering of much of Europe by the Nazis during World War II

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

overpowering

2 of 3

adjective

as in irresistible

Related Words

overpowering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of overpower

as in subduing

to bring under one's control by force of arms the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in overwhelming

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress overpowered by fear of the unknown

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overpowering

Noun

In Michigan’s overpowering run in this tournament, Mara was everywhere. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026 Chavarria was a cult designer at the time—an unsung name on the New York Fashion Week lineup that each season delivered a two-punch of a political statement and a singular sartorial proposition, both often related to his Chicano roots, even if at times the former overpowering the latter. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 23 Jan. 2026 Peppermint and chocolate are a classic combo, but sometimes the mint flavor can taste too artificial or overpowering in baked goods when using an extract, which this recipe forgoes in favor of the peppermint candies. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2025 Some people might find the scent overpowering. — Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Feller was 23 years old, perhaps the most overpowering pitcher in baseball and entering the prime of a Hall of Fame career. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026 Durians' overpowering smell is fragrant to those who love it and foul to those who don't. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 The candle has a fresh, citrussy scent, just like its name implies, that’s never too strong or overpowering, even as someone prone to headaches. — Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 July 2026 While Barnes' final outing for the Dodgers proved costly, evaluators have long viewed him as a pitcher capable of providing organizational depth despite lacking overpowering velocity. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Reliever Grant Taylor pitched two overpowering innings, striking out four while picking up the victory. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 The playful print isn’t too overpowering, yet it’s guaranteed to turn heads (and collect compliments) thanks to its flattering neckline and retro-inspired vibe. — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 25 June 2026 Baby wipes or non-scented lotion will also fix an overpowering scent. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026 The overpowering moral authority of wronged women, #MeToo’s skeptics alleged, would allow cynical wrongdoers to weaponize claims of victimhood for their own gain. — Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 9 June 2026

Verb

Tender cuts of meat, spicy cucumber salads, and lobster mac and cheese are rich but not overpowering, satisfying but not overly filling, and beautifully presented. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 If pork sounds better to you, consider these lemony sautéed cutlets or our crispy pork cutlets, either of which would complement the dish without overpowering its delicate flavor. — Martha Stewart, 18 Aug. 2026 Someone must hear when one section is overpowering the others. — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The orchestration features deep sub-bass content that the headphones readily bring out without overpowering the rest of the ensemble. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 There was one person amongst our tasting panel in the test kitchen who said that the coconut may be possibly overpowering the corn. — Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 Her eye makeup enhanced the shape of her eyes rather than relying on bold colors or dramatic techniques, and her brows framed her face without overpowering it. — Colleen Sullivan, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026 Known for its sculptural designs and polished finishes driven by a distinctly Scandinavian sensibility, the Copenhagen label crafts jewelry and leather goods that elevate day-to-day dressing without overpowering it. — Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2026 People had reported overpowering hallucinations after consuming tiny doses of acid, as the substance would become known in psychedelic culture. — Kimon De Greef, Longreads, 4 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpowering

Noun

The market’s focus has shifted rapidly, with gold dominating early in the year before conflict and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz drew attention to oil.

— Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Netflix launched in the UK in 2012 as part of its first expansion into Europe, and has since grown into one of the dominating forces in British broadcasting through shows such as Baby Reindeer, The Gentlemen and Adolescence.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of dominating

Verb

The drones rip through the hallways scanning for a threat before disorienting a suspect using flashing lights and subduing them using pepper balls or by ramming into their body, the company says.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
This means the market makers, often called dealers, are the ones that have to play catch-up, adding to volatility instead of subduing it.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Definition of subduing

Verb

After all, there’s a reason why IVF has overwhelming bipartisan support.

— Dr. Jaime Knopman, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
To channel this sense of joyful minimalism, pair a bold color with playful accents, rich textures, and meaningful décor that brings personality to the space without overwhelming it.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of overwhelming

Noun

The final breakthrough comes through empathy rather than conquest.

— Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
After he’s randomly slapped by multiple women, Barney commandeers Ted and Marshall’s March Madness bracket to figure out which of his past conquests is sabotaging his love life.

— Erin Strecker, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of conquest

Adjective

The portable machine uses pulses of full-spectrum ultraviolet light to kill infectious germs inside hospital rooms.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Multiple baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo had rabies and may have been in direct contact with people at events while infectious, state health officials said Friday.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of infectious

Verb

Over 150 people have been killed and hundreds more are missing after devastating flash floods swept through the Himalayan region along the Nepal-Tibet border, officials from both countries confirmed Wednesday.

— Callum Sutherland, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
And that roads budget included the funding to take care of the existing roads, which would have been devastating ecologically and socially, because if these roads keep falling off the hillsides, then people can’t use them.

— Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of devastating

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overpowered

overpowering

overpowers

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“Overpowering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpowering. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of overpowering

noun

adjective

verb

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