Translation guide
To defeat or overcome someone or something through superior strength, force, or intensity. This guide covers physical overpowering, emotional overwhelming, and figurative dominance.
To use physical strength or force to overcome an opponent.
To overwhelm or overpower someone physically, often implying a clear difference in strength.
He overpowered his opponent.
To subdue or bring under control, often used in military or police contexts.
The police overpowered the rioters.
To defeat or beat someone in a fight, emphasizing victory.
He overpowered a strong enemy.
To pin down or force into submission, literally 'twist and hold down'. More vivid and physical.
He overpowered and pinned his opponent.
To be overcome by a strong feeling, smell, taste, or sensation.
Passive form of 圧倒する; to be overwhelmed or overpowered by something. Very common for emotions or sensations.
I was overpowered by the scenery.
I was overpowered by his passion.
To be emotionally crushed or devastated; stronger than 圧倒される, often negative.
I was overpowered by the news.
To be overpowered by a strong smell, often causing choking or gagging.
To win against an opponent easily or by a large margin in sports, games, or debates.
To win a crushing victory; to overpower the opposition completely.
Our team overpowered the opponents.
Same as physical overpowering, but also used for overwhelming in competition.
He overpowered his opponent in the debate.
To defeat easily, literally 'kick away'; implies brushing aside the opponent.
They overpowered the strong team.
圧倒する is more about overwhelming with force or presence, while 制圧する implies bringing under control, often by authority. Use 制圧する for police/military subduing, and 圧倒する for general overpowering.
Overpowered the enemy (in battle).
Subdued the terrorists.
Directly translating 'overpower' as 力で勝つ (win by strength) is unnatural. Use the appropriate verb based on context: 圧倒する for overwhelming, 制圧する for subduing, etc.
花の香りにむせ返った。
I was overpowered by the scent of flowers.