Word
overpower
Phoneticsover·pow·er
US/ˌoʊvɝˈpaʊɝ/
UK/ˌəʊvəpˈaʊɐ/
Definitions
01to defeat by force
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to defeat or control someone because you are much stronger than they are.
v. to defeat or subdue an opponent by employing superior physical strength or force.
“The police managed to overpower the thief before he could run away.”
“Security personnel were forced to intervene and eventually overpower the intruder, who had attempted to breach the perimeter during the gala.”
02to overwhelm the senses
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to be so strong that you cannot smell, taste, or see anything else.
v. to render a sensation or quality imperceptible by means of greater intensity or strength.
“The smell of the strong perfume started to overpower the scent of the flowers.”
“The pungent aroma of garlic threatened to overpower the delicate flavours of the white wine sauce if the chef was not careful.”
03to affect emotionally
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to affect someone so strongly that they cannot think clearly or act normally.
v. to affect a person's emotions or mental state so intensely that they are unable to maintain composure.
“A sudden feeling of sadness began to overpower her as she looked at the old photos.”
“A profound sense of grief seemed to overpower the speaker, forcing him to pause his eulogy and regain his breath.”
Real-World Examples
“Further on, the stench of varnish from an outhouse is overpowering.” “The second seed overpowered 13th seed Osaka to win 6-1 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium to set up a quarter-final against Zheng.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Germanic *uber Old English ofer- Middle English over- English over- Proto-Indo-European *pótis Proto-Italic *potis Proto-Indo-European *h₁es- Proto-Indo-European *h₁ésmi Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- Proto-Indo-European *bʰúHt Proto-Italic *som Proto-Italic *possom Latin posseder. Vulgar Latin potēre Old French pooir Anglo-Norman poerbor. Middle English power English power English overpower From over- + power.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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