overwhelm Hear it!

overwhelm definition

over·whelm (ō′vər hwelm′, -welm′)

transitive verb

  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. Obsolete to overthrow or overturn

Etymology: ME oferwhelmen: see over- & whelm

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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