overflow

[oh-ver-floh, oh-ver-floh] / ˌoʊ vərˈfloʊ, ˈoʊ vərˌfloʊ /

NOUN

flood, inundation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deluge flash flood overabundance torrent

STRONG

Niagara advance cataclysm cataract congestion discharge encroachment enforcement engorgement excess exuberance flooding infringement overcrowding overkill overmuch overproduction plethora pour propulsion push redundancy spate spill spillover submergence submersion superfluity surfeit surplus

Antonyms

STRONG

discouragement insufficiency lack necessity need want

VERB

pour out, flood

Synonyms

STRONGEST

brim bubble over cascade deluge drain drown engulf gush inundate leak overrun pour run over soak spill spill over submerge swamp

STRONG

cover discharge irrupt issue jet overtop rush shed shower slop slosh spout spray spurt squirt surge water wave well wet whelm

WEAK

fall over overbrim well over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dry underwhelm

STRONG

dehydrate hold keep

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Does it speak of an overflow of creativity — or of an inability to edit?

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

Fellow campaigner Di Leary points at the sewage overflow pipe on the other side of the river.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Heavy rain in recent weeks caused sewage systems to overflow in crowded tent camps.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

In addition, Calpers maintains investment authority over a so-called overflow fund.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

A growing anxiety that already had filled him, and now threatened to overflow.

From "145th Street: Short Stories" by Walter Dean Myers