Overpower
/ˌoʊvərˈpaʊər/noun
To defeat or dominate someone or something by greater strength, force, or influence.
Did you know?The word is a transparent English compound, but its force comes from the ancient Indo-European root *pauə-*, meaning “to push, beat, or strike,” the same root behind words tied to pressure, pain, and power.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
ofer
“over, across, beyond”
Middle English
ME
poweren
“to exert force or control; to be able”
Middle English
ME
overpoweren
“to get the better of; to overcome by force”
Early Modern English
English
overpower
“to defeat or subdue by superior force”
Modern English
English
overpower
“to defeat, subdue, or dominate by greater strength or influence”