French word

accabler

Pronunciation

IPA/akable/

Meaning

  • verboverwhelm

Example

Ce travail m'accable.

This work overwhelms me.

Illustration for accabler (overwhelm)

More examples

Ses critiques l'accablent de reproches.

Her critics overwhelm her with reproaches.

Core concept

An unbearable load or flood presses on someone until action stops.

Common phrases

  • accabler de reproches

    overwhelm ___ with reproaches

Similar words

submerger: To engulf with a flood of things, leaving no capacity to cope.
surcharger: To burden excessively until movement or action becomes difficult.
épuiser: To wear out by using up strength or energy over time.

Definition in French

Soumettre quelqu'un à une charge ou à un flot trop important, matériel ou moral, au point de l'empêcher d'agir.

Word origin

The French verb accabler comes from Old French accabler, while its deeper origin is not securely established.

Usage tips

  • Accabler quelqu'un de + a noun means to burden or shower someone with a large amount, including compliments.

Other meanings

  • distressverb
  • burdenverb

Opposites

Related words

  • accabléoverwhelmedadjective
  • accablementdejectionnoun

Word lists with this word