What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Outclass vs Overwhelm - What's the difference?

outclass | overwhelm |

As verbs the difference between outclass and overwhelm

is that outclass is to surpass something or somebody else, so as to appear to be in a higher class while overwhelm is to engulf, surge over and submerge.

outclass

English

Verb

(es)
  • to surpass something or somebody else, so as to appear to be in a higher class
  • * In the IQ test, he outclassed all the other applicants
  • *{{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=April 26 , author=Tasha Robinson , title=Film: Reviews: The Pirates! Band Of Misfits : , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=The openly ridiculous plot has The Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant) scheming to win the Pirate Of The Year competition, even though he’s a terrible pirate, far outclassed by rivals voiced by Jeremy Piven and Salma Hayek. }}

    overwhelm

    English

    Verb

  • To engulf, surge over and submerge.
  • The dinghy was overwhelmed by the great wave.
  • To overpower, crush.
  • In December 1939 the Soviet Union attacked Finland with overwhelming force.
  • * Bible, Psalms lxxviii. 53
  • The sea overwhelmed their enemies.
  • To overpower emotionally.
  • He was overwhelmed with guilt.
    Joy overwhelmed her when she realized that she had won a million dollars.
  • To cause to surround, to cover.
  • (Papin)

    Derived terms

    * overwhelming

    See also

    * too many balls in the air