# overwhelm

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˌəʊ.vəˈwɛlm/ · frequency rank #23,934

## Definitions
1. To engulf, surge over and submerge.
2. To overpower, crush.
3. To overpower emotionally.
4. To cause to surround, to cover.

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English overwhelmen, equivalent to over- + whelm.

## Easily confused with
- **overwhelmed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overwhelm-vs-overwhelmed)

## Common misspellings (14)
`oevrwhelm`, `overhwelm`, `overrwhelm`, `overwehlm`, `overwhellm`, `overwhelmm`, `overwheml`, `overwhhelm`, `overwhlem`, `overwwhelm`, `ovewrhelm`, `ovrewhelm`, `ovverwhelm`, `voerwhelm`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/overwhelm