overpower
B2Neutral to formal, common in written and spoken language, especially descriptive or narrative contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To defeat or overcome someone or something with superior strength, force, or influence.
To have such a strong effect on someone (e.g., an emotion, smell, or sensation) that it is difficult to resist or think clearly.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a decisive and often complete overcoming or subduing. Can be used literally (physical force) or figuratively (emotions, smells). Does not inherently imply malice; can be neutral (e.g., 'overpowered by sleep').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations of decisive victory or overwhelming effect in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency of use in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] overpower [Object]Be overpowered by [Agent/Cause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A stench to overpower the senses.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in metaphorical contexts: 'Our new product will overpower the competition.'
Academic
Used in historical, political, or sociological texts: 'The state apparatus was designed to overpower dissent.'
Everyday
Common for describing smells, feelings, or physical struggles: 'The garlic overpowered the other flavours.'
Technical
Possible in sports science or security discussions: 'Technique can overpower brute strength.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The security guard was able to overpower the intruder.
- The smell of damp in the old cellar was quite overpowering.
American English
- The police quickly overpowered the suspect.
- Don't let the chili pepper overpower the other flavors in the stew.
adverb
British English
- The room was overpoweringly hot and stuffy.
American English
- The sauce was overpoweringly salty.
adjective
British English
- The overpowering stench of rubbish made him feel ill.
- She felt an overpowering urge to laugh.
American English
- He left the room due to the overpowering perfume.
- An overpowering sense of guilt kept him awake.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The stronger team will overpower the weaker one.
- The smell of flowers can be overpowering in spring.
- Despite being outnumbered, the well-trained soldiers managed to overpower their captors.
- A sudden feeling of dizziness overpowered him, and he had to sit down.
- The dictator's regime used propaganda to overpower independent thought.
- The poignant beauty of the aria was so overpowering that many in the audience were moved to tears.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a POWERful knight riding OVER his defeated opponent.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS PHYSICAL DOMINATION, INFLUENCE IS A PHYSICAL FORCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'to empower' (давать силу, возможности).
- Более конкретный и сильный, чем 'to win' или 'to beat'. Часто требует дополнения.
- В переносном смысле (о чувствах) близок к 'охватить', 'подавить', а не просто 'чувствовать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He overpowered' is incomplete).
- Confusing it with 'overwhelm' (which is more commonly used for emotions).
- Misspelling as 'over power' (two words).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'overpower' used in a purely figurative (non-physical) sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Overpower' strongly implies using superior force or strength to subdue, often completely and quickly. 'Overcome' is broader; it can mean to succeed in dealing with a problem or feeling, often through perseverance ('overcome a difficulty'). You 'overpower' an enemy, but you 'overcome' a challenge or a fear.
Yes, though it's less common. You can be 'overpowered by gratitude' or 'overpowered by joy', meaning the emotion is so strong it dominates your feelings or thoughts. However, the word often retains a nuance of being almost 'too much' or overwhelming.
In everyday language, particularly for describing smells, tastes, and emotions, the adjective 'overpowering' is very frequent. The verb is more common in contexts of physical conflict, competition, or control.
Yes, very commonly. The pattern 'be overpowered by' is standard for focusing on the person/thing that is defeated or the cause of the overwhelming feeling (e.g., 'He was overpowered by two assailants,' 'She was overpowered by the scent of lilies').