early 14c., "to turn upside down, to overthrow," from over- + Middle English whelmen "to turn upside down" (see whelm). Meaning "to submerge completely" is mid-15c. Perhaps the connecting notion is a boat, etc., washed over, and overset, by a big wave. Figurative sense of "to bring to ruin" is attested from 1520s. Related: Overwhelmed; overwhelming; overwhelmingly.
实用例句
1. After my lecture, the students began to overwhelm me with questions.
讲课之后, 学生们开始问一系列问题,使我不知所措.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. No difficulty can overwhelm us.
困难压不倒我们.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3. It was clear that one massive Allied offensive would overwhelm the weakened enemy.
毫无疑问，盟军一次大规模的进攻就会击溃已是强弩之末的敌军。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Don't just win the match; overwhelm your opponents by about 20 goals to nil.
不只是要赢这场比赛, 而且要以大约20∶0的比分压倒对方.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. The raider, cornered at length, will overwhelm one weak vessel and escape.
