What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whelmed
Example
I was whelmed by the movie, it wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either. [whelmed: past tense]
Example
She felt whelmed with gratitude for the support she received. [whelmed: adjective]
overwhelm
Example
The sheer number of emails in my inbox overwhelmed me. [overwhelmed: past tense]
Example
She was overwhelmed with emotion when she received the award. [overwhelmed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwhelm is more commonly used than whelmed in everyday language. Overwhelm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whelmed is less common and refers to a balanced emotional state.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between whelmed and overwhelm?
Whelmed is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, while overwhelm can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.