adv
Uncommon
overwhelmingly
oh-vuh-WEHL-mihng-lih
Overwhelmingly (adv) means to a very great extent; by far the largest amount or degree. Example: “Voters overwhelmingly supported the new law.”
adv
1
To a very great extent; by far the largest amount or degree.
"Voters overwhelmingly supported the new law."
"The feedback was overwhelmingly positive."
How to use overwhelmingly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBy a huge margin; almost entirely.
Common pairings
overwhelmingly positive
overwhelmingly likely
vote overwhelmingly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more overwhelmingly
- Superlative
- most overwhelmingly
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Voters _____ supported the new law.
Etymology
From overwhelming + -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for overwhelmingly
kingly
tingly
lovingly
amazingly
willingly
seemingly
mockingly
knowingly
alarmingly
annoyingly
strikingly
shockingly
See all rhymes for overwhelmingly →
Frequently asked questions
What does “overwhelmingly” mean?
The word “overwhelmingly” means to a very great extent; by far the largest amount or degree. In plain terms, by a huge margin; almost entirely.
How do you pronounce “overwhelmingly”?
“Overwhelmingly” is pronounced oh-vuh-WEHL-mihng-lih (/ˌəʊ.vəˈwɛl.mɪŋ.lɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “overwhelmingly” in a sentence?
Here is “overwhelmingly” used in a sentence: “Voters overwhelmingly supported the new law.”
What part of speech is “overwhelmingly”?
“Overwhelmingly” is an adverb.
Is “overwhelmingly” a common word?
“Overwhelmingly” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "overwhelmingly" and "very"?
"Overwhelmingly" signals that something is true to an extreme degree, often implying a large majority or dominant proportion, while "very" is a general-purpose intensifier usable with almost any quality. "Overwhelmingly" fits best with numbers, votes, opinions, or evidence, as in "overwhelmingly in favor."
How is "overwhelmingly" typically used in a sentence?
It usually modifies an adjective or verb to show something is true by a very large margin, as in "overwhelmingly popular" or "voted overwhelmingly." It's especially common in reporting on statistics, elections, and surveys where one outcome clearly dominates.
Is "overwhelmingly" a formal or informal word?
"Overwhelmingly" reads as neutral to slightly formal and appears frequently in journalism, academic writing, and official reports. In casual speech, people often reach for "totally" or "by far" instead.
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