Overrun (Verb)
Meaning 1
Run beyond or past; "The plane overran the runway".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The car sped out of control and overran the stop sign at the intersection.
- After a late start, the project overran its deadline by several weeks.
- The ferry overran the dock and crashed into the shore.
- Their costs overran the initial estimate by a significant margin.
- The rapid floodwaters overran the low-lying areas of the city, causing widespread damage.
Meaning 2
Seize the position of and defeat; "the Crusaders overran much of the Holy Land".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- The enemy troops overran the defensive positions in a matter of hours, forcing the soldiers to fall back.
- Their archers proved too weak to withstand the invaders, who quickly overran the village.
- During the surprise attack, the soldiers managed to overrun the enemy's command center.
- Roman legions overran most of Gaul, adding vast territories to the expanding empire.
- The siege engines and catapults allowed the attackers to overrun the castle walls.
Hypernyms
Meaning 3
Flow or run over (a limit or brim).
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- The cup was so full that the coffee began to overrun the edge and spill onto the table.
- If you're not careful, the bathtub water will overrun and flood the surrounding area.
- She was chatting nonstop, and the words were about to overrun the allotted speaking time.
- The tears in her eyes started to overrun, and she began to sob uncontrollably.
- The enthusiasm of the crowd was about to overrun the designated festival grounds, causing safety concerns.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Related Words
Meaning 4
Invade in great numbers; "the roaches infested our kitchen".
Classification
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming.
Examples
- The city was quickly overrun by tourists during the peak travel season.
- The insects overrun our backyard after a heavy rainstorm.
- Wild animals began to overrun the countryside after the barriers were removed.
- The area was overrun by weeds due to years of neglect.
- Invasive species can overrun native ecosystems if left unchecked.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
Occupy in large numbers or live on a host; "the Kudzu plant infests much of the South and is spreading to the North".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- Termites can overrun a wooden structure quickly if not treated promptly.
- Feral cats overrun the deserted island, decimating its native wildlife.
- Weeds overrun the garden, making it difficult to distinguish the flowers.
- Rats overrun the abandoned ship, scavenging for food and shelter.
- Bed bugs can overrun an entire hotel if the infestation is not treated properly.