OVERWHELM

v. 1 overpower, overcome, overtax, devastate, stagger, crush, defeat, destroy, subdue, suppress, quash, quell, conquer, beat, bring down, prostrate, weigh down, oppress Overwhelmed by grief, she dissolved into tears 2 inundate, overcome, engulf, submerge, flood (over); deluge, swamp, bury, immerse A feeling of terror suddenly overwhelmed me as I watched my safety rope fray and break In only a few hours the rising waters had completely overwhelmed the house. 3 overcome, stagger, astound, astonish, dumbfound or dumfound, shock, stun, bewilder, confuse, confound, nonplus, surprise, take aback, Colloq bowl over, knock off one's feet or pins, blow one's mind, discombobulate, Brit knock for six We were overwhelmed by the friendly reception that awaited our return