The meaning of 'overwhelmed' is to feel a strong emotion or pressure that is difficult to handle, such as being deeply affected emotionally, feeling burdened with responsibilities, or being inundated with information or tasks. It can also mean to be overpowered or defeated, as in a physical or mental struggle.

When to use it

People use the word 'overwhelmed' when they feel completely overcome by a situation, emotion, or task. It can be used to describe feeling burdened, stressed, or unable to cope with everything that is happening around them. Some common situations in which people may feel overwhelmed include during a crisis, when facing a heavy workload or multiple responsibilities at once, when dealing with a significant life change, or when experiencing intense emotions such as sadness or anxiety.

Example sentences

  1. After studying for hours, he felt completely overwhelmed and exhausted.
  2. The amount of work on his plate was overwhelming, causing him to prioritize and delegate.
  3. The sheer number of applicants for the job was overwhelming, making it even harder to choose the best candidate.
  4. She felt overwhelmed with emotion when she saw her childhood home, bringing back memories of her youth.
  5. His gratitude for his friends' support was overwhelming, and he didn't know how to properly express it.
  6. The crowd at the concert was overwhelming, but the music was worth the discomfort.
  7. The realization of how much money he owed was overwhelming, causing him to reassess his spending habits.
  8. The challenges she faced in starting her own business were overwhelming, but she persisted and succeeded.
  9. The complexity of the legal case was overwhelming, requiring a team of experts to sort through the details.
  10. The rescue team was overwhelmed by the number of people in need of help.

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Reference:

overwhelm
1. to defeat someone or something by using a lot of force: 2. to cause someone…
Cambridge Dictionary
How to Deal With Feeling Emotionally Overwhelmed - Talkspace
Feeling the weight of the world with your emotions? Learn how to recognize and cope when you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed in the moment.
Mental Health ConditionsJill E. Daino, LCSW-R