Even tough it's such a big garden, it would be wasted if we let it get overrun with weeds.
Source: tatoeba (2673567)
Overrun
/ˌoʊ.vɚˈɹʌn/
Synonyms for "overrun" (318 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (64)
Strong matches (95)
frequentgemmategerminatego beyondgone to seedgratuitygrossgrowgrow rankharryheavyhit and runhoghoneycombimbueimpenetrableimposeindentinfestinroad
Show 45 more words
inundateinundationinvadejump a claimjungledjunglyjustifyknow no boundslagniappelambasteleafleaf outleaveleave no voidleavenleftoverlicklushluxuriantluxuriatemake free withmake upmake use ofmaraudmarginmonopolizeoccupyopenopen upoutspreadoutstepoutstretchoveraboundoverageoverbrimoverdooverfilloverflowoverflowingovergoovergrowovergrownovergrowthoverjumpoverleap
Noun(20 words)
Related words (159)
overmeasureoverpassoverplusoverreachoverrideoverrunningoversetovershootovershoot the fieldovershoot the markoverspilloverspreadoverspreadingoverstepoverstockoverstrideoversupplyoverswarmoverwhelmpass
Show 109 more words
penetratepermeatepervadepipi a formpillageplagueplunderpluspour outpour overpourboirepreemptpreoccupyprepossesspullulateput forthput forth leavesput out budsraidramifyrankravageremainderrequisitionride downride override roughshod overriotriotousrootroutrun downrun overrun riotrun throughsackscourgesetset in printshootshoot upsit onslopsloshsmearsomething extrasparespillspill outspill oversplayspraddlespranglesprawlspreadspread like wildfirespread outsproutsprout upsquat onstormstrike rootstripsubjugatesubmergesuffusesuperaboundsuperioritysurpasssurplussurplusageswampswarmswarm withsweeptake all oftake it alltake overtake possession oftake roottake upteemteem withthickthrashtiptrampletrample ontrample underfoottrample upontranscendtransfusetread upontrimunfoldunweededupspearupsproutusurpvandalizevegetateweed-chokedweed-riddenweedywellwhelmwhipwiden
Noun(23 words)
overpopulateoverproductionovershootovershootingovershootsovershotoverspendingoverspentrampagesroachingrunway safety areastopwaystormstormssurgeswampswampedswarmswarmingteem
Show 3 more words
Verb(7 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: accroach, adopt, appropriate, arrogate, assume.
- Sentence evidence is available for overrun, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, wordnet, opengloss, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "overrun".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "overrun"
Keep "overrun" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "overrun" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "overrun", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "overrun" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
37 entriesbudget managementcampaigncapacity constraintchange of stateconditionconflict eventconquestconstraintcost deviationdefeatdelayencroachmenteventget the better ofinfestationinflux phenomenon
Showing 16 of 37 words.
More specific
24 entriesbreachbudget overruncaptureconquestcost overruncrowdingdeadline overrunfloodinginfestationinfluxinsect infestationinundationinvasionoccupationoverflowpest infestation
Showing 16 of 24 words.
Collocations
12 entriesInflections
5 entriesDerivations
1 entriesTranslations
4 translations across 2 languages.
Dutch
3 entries- inhalen verb (to run past, exceed)
- overschijden verb (to run past, exceed)
- voorbijlopen verb (to run past, exceed)
German
1 entries- überschreiten verb (to run past, exceed)
Sample sentences
28 total sentences available.
The hospital is overrun.
Source: tatoeba (3454801)
The refugee camp is overrun.
Source: tatoeba (3454802)
The basement is overrun with rats.
Source: tatoeba (5229077)
Showing 4 of 28 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "overrun"?
Closest matches include accroach, adopt, appropriate, arrogate, assume.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "overrun"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.