overpower
verb
over·pow·er ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r 
overpowered; overpowering; overpowers
transitive verb
1
: to overcome by superior force : subdue
2
: to affect with overwhelming intensity
the stench overpowered us
3
: to provide with more power than is needed or desirable
a dangerously overpowered car
overpoweringly
ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇(-ə)r-iŋ-lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- conquer
- dominate
- pacify
- subdue
- subject
- subjugate
- subordinate
- vanquish
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She was able to overpower her attacker. The police overpowered the man and handcuffed him. The troops were overpowered by the stronger enemy forces. His personality overpowers everyone else's. The delicate taste of the wine was overpowered by the spiciness of the food.
Recent Examples on the Web Members of the crowd then appear to turn and overpower the gunman. 
Rhoda Kwan, NBC News, 2 Sep. 2022 But White House officials said the intelligence community underestimated how quickly Taliban fighters would overpower Afghan forces and sweep into Kabul. Tim Craig, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2022 Opponents have to worry not only about his ability to overpower, but his quickness to the ball. Dennis Victory, al, 10 Aug. 2022 Ultimately, Solis said, she was buoyed by messages of support, and that Watson and his team picked the wrong person to try to overpower. cleveland, 4 Aug. 2022 The 6-foot-5 wing from France, who the Celtics selected in the second round of the 2021 drat, was able to overpower opponents while displaying an improved jump-shot. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2022 Max was as good as gone when Vecna began breaking her bones in mid-air until the power of love propelled Eleven to overpower the demonic dictator, relinquishing Max from his spell. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 5 July 2022 That being said, golfers who exercise restraint and don’t try to overpower the golf course off the tee will typically have the greatest success. Shaun Tolson, Robb Report, 2 July 2022 But his own power risks to overpower him, as everyone else secretly protects him. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 24 June 2022 See More
Rhoda Kwan, NBC News, 2 Sep. 2022 But White House officials said the intelligence community underestimated how quickly Taliban fighters would overpower Afghan forces and sweep into Kabul. Tim Craig, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2022 Opponents have to worry not only about his ability to overpower, but his quickness to the ball. Dennis Victory, al, 10 Aug. 2022 Ultimately, Solis said, she was buoyed by messages of support, and that Watson and his team picked the wrong person to try to overpower. cleveland, 4 Aug. 2022 The 6-foot-5 wing from France, who the Celtics selected in the second round of the 2021 drat, was able to overpower opponents while displaying an improved jump-shot. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 18 July 2022 Max was as good as gone when Vecna began breaking her bones in mid-air until the power of love propelled Eleven to overpower the demonic dictator, relinquishing Max from his spell. Keith Nelson, Men's Health, 5 July 2022 That being said, golfers who exercise restraint and don’t try to overpower the golf course off the tee will typically have the greatest success. Shaun Tolson, Robb Report, 2 July 2022 But his own power risks to overpower him, as everyone else secretly protects him. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 24 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
overpower
verb
over·pow·er ˌō-vər-ˈpau̇-ər
overpowered; overpowering
1
: to overcome by greater force : defeat
The enemy was overpowered.
2
: to affect by being too strong
The odor overpowered us.
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dominating
- conquest
- domination
- subduing
- subjugation
- subjugating
- vanquishing
- takeover
- subjection
- subjecting
- victory
- winning
- win
- whipping
- trimming
- defeat
- licking
- triumph
- enslavement
- beating
- trouncing
- drubbing
- shellacking
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- freeing
- liberation
- emancipation
- release
- enfranchisement
- manumission
overpowering
2 of 3adjective
as in overwhelming
Synonyms & Similar Words
- overwhelming
- irresistible
- irresistable
- spreading
- infectious
- epidemic
- perceptible
- catching
- contagious
- tangible
- palpable
- winning
- inviting
- endearing
- disarming
- fetching
- winsome
overpowering
3 of 3verb
1
as in subduing
to bring under one's control by force of arms the invading army overpowered the countryside with lightning speed Synonyms & Similar Words
- dominating
- subduing
- conquering
- subjecting
- defeating
- overcoming
- subjugating
- vanquishing
- reducing
- subordinating
- pacifying
- enslaving
- crushing
- annihilating
- beating
- smashing
- suppressing
- whipping
- smothering
- licking
- clobbering
- quelling
- thrashing
- silencing
- routing
- trouncing
- walloping
- squelching
- repressing
- skunking
- drubbing
- squashing
- quashing
- mowing (down)
- triumphing (over)
- prevailing (over)
- putting down
- breaking
- cracking down (on)
- clamping down (on)
- snuffing (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liberating
- freeing
- emancipating
- discharging
- springing
- enfranchising
- releasing
- unfettering
- manumitting
- unbinding
- uncaging
- unchaining
2
as in devastating
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress overpowered by fear of the unknown Synonyms & Similar Words
- overwhelming
- devastating
- overcoming
- crushing
- oppressing
- overmastering
- swamping
- whelming
- disturbing
- drowning
- flooring
- rocking
- defeating
- prostrating
- upsetting
- grinding (down)
- shattering
- snowing under
- distressing
- unnerving
- sinking
- deluging
- demoralizing
- staggering
- throwing
- refuting
- unmanning
- confuting
- breaking