Overwhelm
/ˌoʊ.vərˈhɛlm/noun
To overpower or engulf completely.
Did you know?The word 'overwhelm' has roots in Old English that relate to the concept of being washed away, linking it to themes of flood and emotional inundation.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
whelm
“To overturn or cover completely, as by a wave.”
Middle English
ME
overwhelmen
“To overthrow or cover over something completely.”
Late Middle English
ME
overwhelm
“To submerge or engulf entirely.”
Modern English
English
overwhelm
“To overpower emotionally or physically, often evoking a sense of being submerged.”