What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overwhelm
Example
I was overwhelmed with emotion when I saw my newborn baby for the first time. [overwhelmed: past tense]
Example
The amount of work I have to do is overwhelming me. [overwhelming: present participle]
overpower
Example
The army was able to overpower the enemy and win the battle. [overpower: verb]
Example
The smell of the perfume was so strong that it overpowered me. [overpowered: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwhelm is more commonly used than overpower in everyday language. Overwhelm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while overpower is more specific and often used in more formal or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overwhelm and overpower?
While overwhelm can be used in both formal and informal contexts, overpower is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone.
