1
as in invading
to enter for conquest or plunder
waves of barbarians overran the Roman Empire during its long decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exceeding
to go beyond the limit of
he must not overrun his authority as governor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in infesting
to spread or swarm over in a troublesome manner
ants are overrunning the garden
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overrunning
Then in 2021, the federal government, which manages polar bears, halted boat tours, mostly over concerns about how tourists were affecting bear behavior and overrunning the town.
—
ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
In the fifth, Byron Buxton hit a double and was tagged out after overrunning the base.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
His issues overrunning plays feel like ages ago.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Russian forces seized the nuclear plant and its surrounding area in the early days of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, overrunning the plant in February 2022 and holding staff hostage.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
But using smaller rocks will not secure river banks from overrunning, said attorney Devon Lehman McCune during a hearing earlier this month in downtown federal court.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025
In its siege of El Fasher, the RSF blocked aid and trade and intercepted all who tried to flee, overrunning a nearby camp for displaced people in April and killing hundreds, including nine nurses.
—Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2025
Yet, there’s a way to do it right to show appreciation for the time and effort in hosting a tailgate—tents, food, drinks, and all—while not overrunning the host’s wishes.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
In the fifth, Byron Buxton hit a double and was tagged out after overrunning the base.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026
His issues overrunning plays feel like ages ago.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Jan. 2026
Russian forces seized the nuclear plant and its surrounding area in the early days of Moscow’s full-scale invasion, overrunning the plant in February 2022 and holding staff hostage.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025
But using smaller rocks will not secure river banks from overrunning, said attorney Devon Lehman McCune during a hearing earlier this month in downtown federal court.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025
In its siege of El Fasher, the RSF blocked aid and trade and intercepted all who tried to flee, overrunning a nearby camp for displaced people in April and killing hundreds, including nine nurses.
—Alex De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2025
Yet, there’s a way to do it right to show appreciation for the time and effort in hosting a tailgate—tents, food, drinks, and all—while not overrunning the host’s wishes.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrunning
Verb
-
Hezbollah fighters have also inflicted significant casualties on invading Israeli forces.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Watermelon Pictures, the company founded by brothers Badie and Hamza Ali, earned an Oscar nomination this year for The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, a film set in Gaza based on the true story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in 2024 by invading Israeli forces.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Doe is seeking damages exceeding $75,000, along with other punitive damages and other relief to be determined at trial.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Both teams had playoff probabilities exceeding 85% just a few weeks ago.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The moths infesting a pantry are not the same as moths hiding in your closet.—
Lauren Wicks,
Southern Living,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Spotted lanternflies have been infesting parts of the East Coast.—
Cate Martel,
The Hill,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fashion lovers will likely find satisfaction raiding the closets of OG characters Charlotte York-Goldenblatt (Kristin Davis) and Miranda Hobbes (Cynthia Nixon), along with newcomers Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury) and Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker).—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Fuqua even shot scenes of the FBI raiding Neverland.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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True to form, on Friday night Richardson went 45-5, fouled and hit 48-8 before surpassing 49 feet on all of his last three jumps.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
After success domestically, some of China’s biggest carmakers are expanding worldwide, with BYD surpassing Ford in global sales last year—while selling only EVs and hybrids.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Windy conditions will still be plaguing most of Colorado on Thursday.—
Dave Aguilera,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
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However, this isn’t a question only plaguing actors.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police said Morgan was seen crawling under a partially open garage door before jumping into a backyard pool.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
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Footage shared by Sky News showed the animal crawling up onto the eatery's counter.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overrunning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrunning. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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