overrun
4 synonyms for overrun, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To spread over or invade a place in large numbers, often taking full control of it.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
infest
overproduction
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To spread over or invade a place in large numbers, often taking full control of it.
“The garden was completely overrun with weeds.”
2. noun
An amount by which something has gone beyond its planned budget, time, or capacity.
“The project suffered a huge cost overrun.”
overproduction
How to use overrun
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cost overrun
overrun with
overrun by weeds
Etymology
Built from over- + run.
Full origin of overrun →Frequently asked questions
What does “overrun” mean?
The word “overrun” means to spread over or invade a place in large numbers, often taking full control of it. In plain terms, to spread over something uncontrollably, or to go on past a planned limit (of time, cost, etc).
How do you pronounce “overrun”?
“Overrun” is pronounced oh-vuh-RUHN (/ˌoʊ.vɚˈɹʌn/ in IPA).
How do you use “overrun” in a sentence?
Here is “overrun” used in a sentence: “The garden was completely overrun with weeds.”
What part of speech is “overrun”?
Depending on how it is used, “overrun” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “overrun” a common word?
“Overrun” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “overrun” have?
“Overrun” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to spread over or invade a place in large numbers, often taking full control of it.
