Overwhelming describes something so strong, large, or intense that it is very hard to resist or handle.
From “overwhelm” plus the -ing ending, keeping the sense of being submerged or overpowered. It can describe both negative and positive experiences.
An overwhelming majority, an overwhelming sadness, and overwhelming joy all share the same feeling: your normal mental tools aren’t enough. The word is powerful because it doesn’t say good or bad—just that the intensity is beyond usual limits.
Descriptions like ‘overwhelming emotions’ or ‘overwhelming responsibilities’ have been applied in gendered ways, reinforcing stereotypes that women are more easily overwhelmed while normalizing overwork in men.
Use ‘overwhelming’ for situations or quantities without implying that some genders are inherently less capable of handling them.
["very large","intense","immense","daunting"]
In discussing overwhelming workloads, especially in care and service sectors, recognize women’s leadership in advocating for structural change.
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