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Overwhelm vs Devastation - What's the difference?

overwhelm | devastation |

As a verb overwhelm

is to engulf, surge over and submerge.

As a noun devastation is

devastation, destruction.

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

    Related terms

    * whelm

    See also

    * too many balls in the air

    devastation

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of devastating]], or the state of being devastated; a [[lay waste, laying waste.
  • * 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, "[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/nyregion/new-jersey-continues-to-cope-with-hurricane-sandy.html?hp]," New York Times (retrieved 31 October 2012):
    • Perhaps as startling as the sheer toll was the devastation to some of the state’s well-known locales. Boardwalks along the beach in Seaside Heights, Belmar and other towns on the Jersey Shore were blown away. Amusement parks, arcades and restaurants all but vanished. Bridges to barrier islands buckled, preventing residents from even inspecting the damage to their property.
  • Waste of the goods of the deceased by an executor or administrator.