Definition of overflownext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in to burst
to be copiously supplied a magazine that usually overflows with home-repair tips for the do-it-yourselfer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overflow
Noun
Because the ferry, naturally, didn’t have one big corridor, an overflow room projected a live feed of the main stage (shaped like a blocky ‘T’). — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 Thursday night's meeting has been moved to a bigger location with an overflow room at 2121 South Union. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
Troublesome Creek, Kentucky, overflowed, destroying pictures of the late 13-year-old boy whom Campbell helped raise — and just about everything else in her home. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 There are plastic boxes overflowing with personal protective equipment, televisions cued to videos and architectural renderings, and a mini fridge full of refreshments. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overflow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflow
Noun
  • The weather service issued flood watches through Monday afternoon for a large swath of Utah, southeast Idaho, and northern and central Arizona, including the Grand Canyon.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Those EVs will have to compete not only with longtime sales leader Tesla, but also with the flood of Chinese EVs that, sooner or later, will land in the US.
    — John Voelcker, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Using aggressive budget caps that force huge surpluses, the governor has used $11 billion since 2020 to shrink pension debt.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Trump says the Biden administration set those fees higher than necessary and built up a surplus, and the White House is framing the checks as a return of that excess.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Cortez blamed the city for not taking any permanent or lasting measures to prevent the ocean from spilling into the streets, such as putting in place a concrete barrier or reinforcing the seawall.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Advance, backlash, conflict spilling over into violence…and then re-advance.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An off-duty KCPD detective and a Clay County sheriff’s deputy immediately jumped into action last week after spotting a Ford F-150 pickup truck engulfed in flames along Interstate 35 — and the whole thing was caught on camera.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And for much of the game Sunday, gloom once again engulfed McVay and a team that opened the season as a heavy Super Bowl favorite.
    — Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • People are herby, people are lemony, people are mustardy, bursting at the taste buds with umami.
    — Raven Smith, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Walker burst free on a 76-yard run that turned the game around.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Such terrain is already conducive to flash flooding, sudden torrents that can sweep down canyons and other low-lying areas with little warning.
    — Megan Janetsky, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision unleashed unlimited torrents of money into political campaigns, elections are now largely financed by big money donors and super PACs.
    — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The DynaTAC quickly became an emblem of 1980s ambition and excess, a communications device that doubled as a badge of executive clout.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Grease an 8-inch round cake pan, then line the bottom with parchment paper and flour the pan, tapping out the excess.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Raw shell eggs were overfilled in an insert tray and measured 55 degrees.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • On the other hand, overfilling the drum can strain the motor and reduce cleaning efficiency.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overflow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflow. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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