What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overwhelming
Example
The news of the accident was overwhelming and left me in tears. [overwhelming: adjective]
Example
I find it overwhelming to manage my work and personal life at the same time. [overwhelming: gerund or present participle]
enormous
Example
The elephant was enormous and towered over us. [enormous: adjective]
Example
The company faced an enormous challenge in meeting the deadline. [enormous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enormous is more commonly used than overwhelming in everyday language. Enormous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while overwhelming is less common and typically used in specific situations where emotions or circumstances feel too much to handle.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between overwhelming and enormous?
Both overwhelming and enormous can be used in formal and informal contexts, but enormous is generally considered more neutral and appropriate for a wider range of situations.
