Overwhelm means to overpower someone with too much of something to the point where they can't handle it all. When you feel overwhelmed, you're struggling because there's simply too much coming at you at once.

You might feel overwhelmed on the first day of middle school when you have seven different teachers, a locker combination to remember, a new schedule to follow, and dozens of unfamiliar faces all around you. A student can be overwhelmed by homework when three teachers all assign major projects due the same week. The feeling is that sinking sensation when you realize you can't possibly do everything that needs doing.

The word can also describe physical force. A massive wave might overwhelm a sandcastle, completely destroying it. In historical battles, one army might overwhelm another through sheer numbers or superior tactics, defeating them decisively.

When something is overwhelming, it's so intense or large that it dominates everything else. The smell of fresh cookies baking might be overwhelming in a good way, while the noise at a crowded restaurant might be overwhelming in an unpleasant way. Notice that being overwhelmed isn't the same as being busy: it's that specific feeling when demands exceed your capacity to meet them, leaving you unsure where to start.