different between overwhelm vs arouse

English

Etymology

From Middle English overwhelmen, equivalent to over- +? whelm.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???v????lm/, /???v??w?lm/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?o?v????lm/, /?o?v??w?lm/
• (Scotland) IPA^(key): /?ov????lm/
• Rhymes: -?lm

Verb

overwhelm (third-person singular simple present overwhelms, present participle overwhelming, simple past and past participle overwhelmed)

1. To engulf, surge over and submerge.

   Synonym: swamp

2. To overpower, crush.

   In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force.

   • The sea overwhelmed their enemies.

3. To overpower emotionally.
4. To cause to surround, to cover.

   1684, Denis Papin, Instrument to make turpentine penetrate plaster and wood using the airpump

   • I lay Turpentine all over the same: then I overwhelm a broader pipe about the first

Derived terms

• overwhelming

Related terms

• whelm

Antonyms

• underwhelm

Translations

Noun

overwhelm (plural overwhelms)

1. The state or condition of being overwhelmed.

See also

• too many balls in the air

English

Etymology

a- +? rouse.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???a?z/
• Rhymes: -a?z

Verb

arouse (third-person singular simple present arouses, present participle arousing, simple past and past participle aroused)

1. To stimulate feelings.

   • “?My tastes,” he said, still smiling, “?incline me to the garishly sunlit side of this planet.” And, to tease her and arouse her to combat?: “?I prefer a farandole to a nocturne?; I'd rather have a painting than an etching?; Mr. Whistler bores me with his monochromatic mud; I don't like dull colours, dull sounds, dull intellects; […].”
2. To sexually stimulate.
   1. (euphemistic) To cause an erection of the penis or other physical signs of sexual arousal, such as fluid secretion.

3. To wake from sleep or stupor.
   • 1996, Beruga (line translated by Dan Owsen), Terranigma. Nintendo of America.
   • I have no idea who you are, but I thank you for arousing me.

Synonyms

• (stimulate feelings): animate, energize, inspire; see also Thesaurus:enliven
• (sexually stimulate): sex up, turn on; see also Thesaurus:sexually stimulate
• (wake from sleep or stupor): rouse, wake up; see also Thesaurus:wake or Thesaurus:awaken

Translations

See also

• arousal
• aroused

Anagrams

• Roseau