German word

überwältigend

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌyːbɐˈvɛltɪgənt/

Meaning

  • adjectiveoverwhelming

Example

Die Aussicht ist überwältigend.

The view is overwhelming.

Illustration for überwältigend (overwhelming)

More examples

Seine Vorstellung hinterließ überwältigende Eindrücke.

The impressions left by his performance were overwhelming.

Core concept

A vast view fills the mind so completely that ordinary details fade and only its powerful impact remains.

Common phrases

  • ein überwältigender Erfolg

    an overwhelming success

  • von überwältigender Schönheit

    of overwhelming beauty

  • ein überwältigendes Erlebnis

    an overwhelming experience

Similar words

beeindruckend: Strongly impressive and memorable, inspiring admiration or respect.
atemberaubend: So beautiful or powerful that it leaves observers momentarily breathless.
grandios: Very grand in scale or quality, inspiring admiration.
erdrückend: So oppressive or burdensome that it causes mental or physical distress.

Definition in German

Überwältigend bezeichnet einen sehr starken, oft positiven Eindruck, der Erstaunen oder Bewunderung hervorruft.

Word origin

Überwältigend comes from the verb überwältigen, formed with über- and the older verb wältigen, and originally describes overpowering someone or something.

Usage tips

  • German can use überwältigend for strongly positive experiences such as beauty, whereas English overwhelming often suggests distress or excess.

Opposites

  • ernüchterndsoberingadjective

Related words

Word lists with this word