1
as in teeming
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1
as in spilling
to flow over the brim or top of
while the wine steward stood there gawking at the nearby celebrity, my expensive champagne was overflowing its glass and pouring onto our table
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2
as in flooding
to cover with a flood
the swollen river overflowed the surrounding land and washed several houses away
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3
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
a magazine that usually overflows with home-repair tips for the do-it-yourselfer
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overflowing
Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
And Zermatt itself also has pockets of traditional charm, with streets lined with chalet after chalet and overflowing flower boxes.
—Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
JPMorgan has even needed to lease additional space to facilitate staffers’ return, renting several floors in the former Credit Suisse office close to the US lender’s overflowing European headquarters.
—Jack Sidders, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
So there Wilson went toward the overflowing Aces’ bench.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The more unexpected takeaway was the show's graphic depiction of an overflowing toilet as the climax of the episode, which was set on Thanksgiving Day.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a popular playground.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
There’s a sublime elegance embodied in the stylish furniture and textiles of its 308 rooms, suites, and residences; in the vases overflowing with colorful flowers; and in that delightful, distinctive scent that fills its communal areas.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Mother’s Day is coming up, and maybe your bank account isn’t exactly overflowing right now.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Alternatively straits can appear due to water overflowing an area of eroded or subsided land.
—Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Clear bins make that inventory visible at a glance, which saves money and keeps cabinets from overflowing.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Well, 26 of them, overflowing with flowers and foliage, accent the deck and windows of her home in Big Canoe, Georgia.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
Luckily, Amazon’s spring fashion section is overflowing with cropped bottoms for under $35 — including breezy palazzo pants, linen trousers, buttery soft yoga capris, and barrel jeans.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
The long-running series is enjoying its latest act on Netflix after previously airing on Fox and USA, tantalizing viewers by thrusting four couples due for a reckoning into an exotic locale overflowing with sultry singles whose only goal is to flirt.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
One of Cash’s interests, carried over from Earth Angel, her 2023 debut book of short stories, is an overflowing index of animal references.
—Niela Orr, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
And Zermatt itself also has pockets of traditional charm, with streets lined with chalet after chalet and overflowing flower boxes.
—Rick Steves, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
JPMorgan has even needed to lease additional space to facilitate staffers’ return, renting several floors in the former Credit Suisse office close to the US lender’s overflowing European headquarters.
—Jack Sidders, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
So there Wilson went toward the overflowing Aces’ bench.
—Ben Pickman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
The more unexpected takeaway was the show's graphic depiction of an overflowing toilet as the climax of the episode, which was set on Thanksgiving Day.
—Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
In the suburban village of Wauwatosa, an overflowing and fast-moving Menomonee River submerged a popular playground.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
The Hornets entertained in home games in the sparkling new on-campus Pavilion in 2025-26 regularly overflowing the 3,000-seat venue, but the leading acts for the Hornets have all moved on.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
There’s a sublime elegance embodied in the stylish furniture and textiles of its 308 rooms, suites, and residences; in the vases overflowing with colorful flowers; and in that delightful, distinctive scent that fills its communal areas.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Mother’s Day is coming up, and maybe your bank account isn’t exactly overflowing right now.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Alternatively straits can appear due to water overflowing an area of eroded or subsided land.
—Scott Spires, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Clear bins make that inventory visible at a glance, which saves money and keeps cabinets from overflowing.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026
Well, 26 of them, overflowing with flowers and foliage, accent the deck and windows of her home in Big Canoe, Georgia.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
Luckily, Amazon’s spring fashion section is overflowing with cropped bottoms for under $35 — including breezy palazzo pants, linen trousers, buttery soft yoga capris, and barrel jeans.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
The long-running series is enjoying its latest act on Netflix after previously airing on Fox and USA, tantalizing viewers by thrusting four couples due for a reckoning into an exotic locale overflowing with sultry singles whose only goal is to flirt.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overflowing
Adjective
-
The new findings are confounding scientists’ expectations, raising questions about how exactly molecules can encounter their reactive partners in a teeming, crowded space — and therefore how cells can possibly function.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
This can happen due to a power surge, an overloaded circuit, or a short in the system.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
21 Apr. 2026
-
An indoor fire near The Alley at Latta Arcade that caused $5,000 in damages on Tuesday night was due to an overloaded electrical device, a Charlotte Fire Department spokesperson said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
During these times, the easiest way to help birds is to turn off unneeded lights at night and to close curtains or blinds to keep interior illumination from spilling outside.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Without proper safeguards, rainfall and water irrigation flow easily into groundwater and into wells, while also spilling into rivers and streams that feed into public water systems.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Then the Secret Service and every detail came flooding in and everybody went down.—
Calvin Woodward,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Pittsburgh had 16 prospects attend in person, but the real stars were the fans flooding the North Shore and Point State Park.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Following a brutal winter season, Martha's Bedford farm is now bursting with colorful blooms.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As April comes to a close, Amazon’s outlet is bursting with even more exciting deals than usual.—
Madeline Merinuk,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The $1,800 donation, disclosed in a late campaign finance filing posted Monday, comes as the race remains crowded and unsettled ahead of the June 2 primary.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The adjustable strap keeps it close to the body—ideal for navigating crowded streets and steep hills.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
On average, its white blooms appear late April to early May, and develop into interesting inflated three-sided seed pods by autumn.—
Miri Talabac,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Baldoni’s attorneys pushed back, calling the projections speculative and wildly inflated.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Some fails stem from people overfilling the molds.—
Lisa Gutierrez
April 3,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
-
To reduce ice crystal formation and freezer burn, use airtight packaging and avoid overfilling the freezer so air can circulate properly.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overflowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overflowing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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