overwhelmingly
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌəʊvəwˈɛlmɪŋli/
US
- /ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmɪŋli/
- /ˌoʊvərhˈwɛlmɪŋli/
Description
- very strongly
- almost completely
- by a huge amount
"Overwhelmingly" describes something so strong that it seems to take over everything else. Imagine standing on a beach during a hurricane: the wind and rain are so powerful that they dominate your senses. It does not just mean "a lot." It means an amount or intensity that feels almost too much to handle.
You might say a candidate won an election "overwhelmingly" if they received a huge majority of votes. Or you might feel overwhelmingly grateful for someone's kindness; it is more than simple thankfulness and becomes a deep, powerful feeling. It often suggests near-universal agreement or support. Think of it as something that pushes everything else aside with its force.
The word "overwhelmingly" is an adverb used to emphasize the strength or degree of something. It signifies that something is so intense, complete, or substantial that it dominates and surpasses all other factors. It's more than just a large quantity; it implies a feeling of being overpowered or completely consumed by something.
You'll often encounter "overwhelmingly" when describing opinions, results, or emotions. For example: "The evidence overwhelmingly supports the theory," means there is so much proof that the theory is almost certainly true. Or, "She was overwhelmingly pleased with the gift," suggests a level of joy far beyond simple happiness.
It's frequently used in contexts involving statistics and voting patterns. Saying a proposal passed "overwhelmingly" indicates it received an exceptionally high percentage of votes in its favor. It can also describe an effect on your senses, as in "The smell from the bakery was overwhelmingly rich and sweet."
"Overwhelmingly" isn't just about quantity; it's about impact. It suggests something is so powerful or prevalent that it leaves little room for doubt, opposition, or alternative perspectives. So when you want to emphasize a truly dominant force or feeling, "overwhelmingly" is the word to use—it paints a picture of complete and utter dominance.
Examples
- 1
Reviews
The reviews were overwhelmingly positive.
- 2
Voting result
Voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal.
- 3
Committee decision
The committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of the plan.
- 4
Evidence
The evidence points overwhelmingly to a simple mistake.
- 5
Crowd makeup
The crowd was overwhelmingly young, with only a few older guests.
- 6
Survey response
At the end of the survey, students overwhelmingly said they wanted more speaking practice.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- overwhelminglyadverb