overwhelm

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
  2. verb charge someone with too many tasks
  3. verb cover completely or make imperceptible

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English overwhelmen, equivalent to over- + whelm.

In classic literature

Synonyms

overpower, sweep over, whelm, overcome, overtake

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