1
as in flood
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
a great overflow of water from the heavy rains swept mud and silt down onto the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in surplus
the state or an instance of going beyond what is usual, proper, or needed
an overflow of help actually made the job more complicated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to flood
to flow over the brim or top of
while the wine steward stood there gawking at the nearby celebrity, my expensive champagne was overflowing its glass and pouring onto our table
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to engulf
to cover with a flood
the swollen river overflowed the surrounding land and washed several houses away
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overflow
Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Since guests typically gather in the kitchen, a keeping room is ideal for overflow and comfort.
—Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
In 2013, my husband Dave and I hauled a beat-up, fire-engine-red suitcase overflowing with sheet masks, toners, snail creams, and pimple patches to the Hester Street Fair, a weekend market in the Lower East Side.
—Charlotte Cho, Allure, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overflow
Noun
Forecasters say that high astronomical tides Sunday and Monday morning will result in minor tidal overflow at some beaches.
—Verb
The last few years have been overflowing with it.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflow
Noun
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Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.—
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During a flood-the-zone presidency, this seems like a sound strategy.—
Noun
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As providers warn of layoffs and a system nearing collapse, the contrast between the agency's austerity measures and the state's multi-billion dollar surplus remains a central point of contention for advocates and legislators alike.—
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But in the years since, Sacramento has failed to act to address the massive debt incurred during the pandemic, despite having a $100 billion surplus in recent years.—
Verb
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Season 2, which will release episodes weekly after the first drop, will lead directly into Season 3, although no one involved will spill on when it can be expected.—
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That's why your preschooler might sit holding an empty glass, milk trickling onto their lap, and insist that a monster spilled it.—
Verb
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Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the basement level before engulfing the upper floor.—
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Almost exactly a year ago, another rock-era institution — the 111-year-old Morrison Hotel, featured on the cover of the Doors’ fifth studio album — was engulfed in flames after a series of smaller fires.—
Verb
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Is your play area bursting at the seams?—
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Hill burst upon the local high school scene as a sophomore, earning Central Texas newcomer of the year honors in 2023 after rushing for 1,428 yards and 20 touchdowns.—
Noun
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The statement comes as xAI faces a torrent of criticism from government regulators around the world in connection to images produced by its Grok software over the past several days.—
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Residents had to frantically flee their homes as a torrent of debris rushed through town and encased homes and cars in feet of mud.—
Noun
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The process could, in fact, help rectify that excess of grapes, causing supply to eventually even out with demand.—
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Unless the category could be brought under control, the excess threatened to self-propagate.—
Verb
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As for the after-show, the highlight (other than Jawan overfilling his champagne glass) had to be Jeff listing all the idols and advantages that were played incorrectly or unnecessarily.—
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To clean slow cookers with non-removable inserts, fill it with hot water and dish soap, being careful to leave room at the top and not overfill it.—
Cite this Entry
“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflow. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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