overwhelm

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to give someone so much to do that they cannot deal with it all.

v. to inundate someone with an excessive amount of work, information, or responsibility.

“The staff were overwhelmed by the number of phone calls after the announcement.”

“The customer service department was completely overwhelmed by the volume of complaints following the software update.”

C1 · Advanced Formal

v. to defeat someone or something using a lot of force.

v. to defeat or overcome by superior force or numbers.

日本語:圧倒する※

“The small army was quickly overwhelmed by the larger force.”

“The defensive lines were overwhelmed within hours as the opposing forces launched a coordinated multi-front assault.”

C2 · Proficiency Literary

v. to cover something completely with water or another liquid.

v. to engulf or submerge something completely, typically by a surge of water.

“A giant wave overwhelmed the small boat during the storm.”

“The coastal village was overwhelmed by the rising tide, leaving the streets buried under a thick layer of silt and debris.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Informal

n. the feeling of having too much to deal with.

n. the psychological state of being overcome by stress or excessive stimuli.

“She felt a sense of overwhelm as she looked at her long to-do list.”

“The therapist helped the patient develop strategies to manage the daily overwhelm caused by his demanding executive role.”