different between subdue vs overwhelm

English

Etymology

From Middle English subdewen, subduen, sodewen, from Old French souduire, from Latin subd?c? (“to draw away”), perhaps influenced by subd? (“to subdue, subject”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /s?b?du/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /s?b?dju?/, /s?b?d?u?/, /s?b-/
• Rhymes: -u?
• Hyphenation: sub?due

Verb

subdue (third-person singular simple present subdues, present participle subduing, simple past and past participle subdued)

1. To overcome, quieten, or bring under control.
2. To bring (a country) under control by force.

Synonyms

• underbring

Related terms

Translations

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