verb
overpower
oh-vuh-POW-uh
verb
1
To defeat or subdue someone using greater strength or force.
"The security guards managed to overpower the intruder."
2
To be so strong or intense that it dominates everything else, especially a smell or feeling.
"The smell of garlic overpowered every other flavour in the dish."
How to Use Overpower
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo beat something through sheer force or intensity, whether that's a person, a smell, or an emotion.
Common pairings
overpower an opponent
overpowering smell
overpowering emotion
Word Forms
overpowered past tense, overpowers singular
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Etymology
Built from over- + power.