overpower

Everyday

1. To beat someone by being stronger, so they cannot fight back. tree →
2. (of a feeling, smell or taste) To be so strong that it takes over: "The smell overpowered us." tree →
3. (overpowering, adjective) Very strong, too strong. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, guards overpower a thief or a hero overpowers a monster. In cooking, a strong flavour like garlic can overpower the others. In everyday life an overpowering smell is too strong to bear. In games "overpowered" (slang "OP") means a character or item is too strong to be fair.

Examples

• The guards overpowered the robber and took the bag. tree →
• The smell of fish overpowered the whole kitchen. tree →
• Too much chilli will overpower the taste of the soup. tree →
• She was overpowered by sleepiness and dropped her book. tree →
• The perfume in the shop was overpowering. tree →
• That sword is so overpowered that the game is too easy (slang: it's OP). tree →
• How close the air felt in that room; the heat overpowered him. tree →

Note

Regular verb: overpowered, overpowering. In gamer slang "OP" stands for "overpowered". Not the same as "empower" (to give someone power).