überwältigend
The German word for overwhelming is überwältigend.
The adjective überwältigend is used to describe something that is overpowering in its effect or scale.
Meaning: overpowering (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the verb überwältigen (to overwhelm or overpower) and the suffix -end, which creates a present participle used here as an adjective.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the cause and the feeling. Use überwältigend to describe the thing that causes the sensation, such as overwhelming news, but use überwältigt to describe the person who is experiencing that sensation, such as saying 'I am overwhelmed'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, überwältigend will take various endings depending on the gender, number and case of the noun it modifies, such as in the phrase eine überwältigende Freude (an overwhelming joy).
Did you know?
- The word überwältigend shares a root with Gewalt, meaning 'force' or 'violence', linking the feeling of being overwhelmed to the concept of external power.
- German has a related term überfordert, which is used when someone is overwhelmed by too many tasks or responsibilities, rather than by a strong emotion.
- If a smell or sound is overwhelming, Germans often use the word erdrückend, which literally translates to 'crushing'.
Examples in context
- Das ist ziemlich überwältigend.It's pretty overwhelming.This sentence is useful for expressing that a situation is quite overwhelming using überwältigend.Tatoeba #3112368 by al_ex_an_der, translation #2249178 by CK
- Die Wahrheit kann überwältigend sein.The truth can be overwhelming.This sentence shows how the truth can be überwältigend.Tatoeba #1597792 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1402585 by marcelostockle
- Zuviel Auswahl kann überwältigend wirken.Having too much choice can be overwhelming.This sentence illustrates how too much choice can appear to be überwältigend.Tatoeba #10996914 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6319417 by Hybrid
- Der Anblick der atemberaubenden Landschaft war einfach überwältigendThe view of the breathtaking landscape was simply overwhelming
- Die Verantwortung für das Projekt war äußerst belastendThe responsibility for the project was extremely overwhelming
- Das Konzert gestern Abend war hammermäßigThe concert last night was overwhelmingly great
- Das war wahnsinnig überwältigend, als ich mein Diplom erhalten habeIt was insanely overwhelming when I received my diploma
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are looking at a massive collection of old paintings in a museum.
- LukasDie Menge an Bildern ist überwältigend.The amount of paintings is overwhelming.
- HannahJa, das ist fast zu viel für mich.Yes, it is almost too much for me.
- LukasIch fühle mich auch ein bisschen verloren.I feel a bit lost too.
- HannahLass uns zuerst nur eine Abteilung ansehen.Let's just look at one section first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “overwhelming” translations and entries überwältigend, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
