What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whelm
Example
The boat was whelmed by the waves and capsized. [whelmed: past participle]
Example
I was whelmed by the beauty of the sunset and lost track of time. [whelmed: verb]
overwhelm
Example
I was overwhelmed with joy when I received the good news. [overwhelmed: past participle]
Example
The workload was so heavy that it overwhelmed me. [overwhelmed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwhelm is more commonly used than whelm in everyday language. Overwhelm is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while whelm is less common and has a narrower range of usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between whelm and overwhelm?
Both whelm and overwhelm are relatively neutral in terms of formality, but overwhelm may be slightly more formal due to its wider usage in professional and academic settings.
