Definitions
- Describing a feeling of being submerged or covered by water. - Referring to a state of being completely absorbed or engrossed in something. - Talking about a situation where one is neither overwhelmed nor underwhelmed, but simply whelmed.
- Referring to a feeling of being completely overcome or overpowered by something. - Describing a situation where one is faced with more than they can handle or cope with. - Talking about a state of being flooded or inundated with information or emotions.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a state of being affected by something.
- 2Both words can be used to describe emotional states.
- 3Both words can be used in the past participle form to describe a completed action.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Overwhelm is a stronger and more intense feeling than whelm.
- 2Negative connotation: Overwhelm has a negative connotation, while whelm does not necessarily have a positive or negative connotation.
- 3Scope: Overwhelm implies a broader scope of impact, while whelm can refer to a more specific or narrow impact.
- 4Usage: Overwhelm is more commonly used than whelm in everyday language.
- 5Prefix: Overwhelm has the prefix 'over-' which intensifies the meaning, while whelm does not have a prefix.
Remember this!
Whelm and overwhelm both describe a state of being affected by something, but overwhelm is a stronger and more intense feeling with a negative connotation. Overwhelm implies a broader scope of impact and is more commonly used than whelm. The prefix 'over-' in overwhelm intensifies the meaning, while whelm does not have a prefix.
