overwhelming

/ˌəʊvəˈwelmɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌō-vər-ˈ(h)wel-miŋ/ (ame, mw)

overwhelming — adjective

  • overwhelmingpositive
  • more overwhelmingcomparative
  • most overwhelmingsuperlative

1. so strong in feeling or effect that it is very hard to resist, stay calm, or dea

1.形容詞C1
釋義

so strong in feeling or effect that it is very hard to resist, stay calm, or deal with

例句

When Mia opened the letter, an overwhelming sense of relief hit her.

collocation: overwhelming sense of + feeling

The smell of gas in the kitchen was overwhelming.

linking verb: be overwhelming

同義詞
  • irresistible

    stresses that it is almost impossible not to give in

  • intense

    describes strong feeling or effect, but not always loss of control

  • powerful

    broader and usable for many kinds of strength or effect

  • crushing

    stronger and more negative, often suggesting emotional or mental pressure

反義詞
  • manageable

    possible to handle without losing control

  • mild

    not very strong in effect or feeling

文法句型

overwhelming fear

an overwhelming need to + verb

be overwhelming

用法筆記

Often used with feelings, pressure, noise, smells, and urgent needs. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about size, amount, or clear dominance rather than the effect on a person.

常見錯誤

❌I felt overwhelming after the meeting.
✅I felt overwhelmed after the meeting.
💡'overwhelming' describes the force or situation; 'overwhelmed' describes the person affected by it.

2. far greater in amount, number, or strength than anything else in the same situat

2.形容詞C1
釋義

far greater in amount, number, or strength than anything else in the same situation

例句

An overwhelming majority of parents chose the later start time.

collocation: overwhelming majority

There is overwhelming evidence that the bridge was poorly built.

pattern: overwhelming evidence + that-clause

同義詞
  • enormous

    focuses on great size or amount, without the idea of clear dominance

  • massive

    suggests very large scale and can sound more forceful or physical

  • huge

    an everyday word for very large size or amount

  • decisive

    fits results such as victories and evidence that settle the matter clearly

反義詞
  • slight

    small in amount or degree

  • limited

    not great in size, amount, or effect

文法句型

overwhelming majority

overwhelming evidence

overwhelming support

overwhelming victory

用法筆記

Most common with nouns such as majority, evidence, support, opposition, and victory. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense measures scale or advantage, not how hard something feels to resist.

常見錯誤

❌There were overwhelming students in the hall.
✅There were an overwhelming number of students in the hall.
💡this sense usually modifies a measure or result noun, not plural people nouns directly.