Overran

To overrun means to spread over or through something, especially in a destructive or overwhelming way. It can also mean to exceed a limit or scheduled time. Figuratively, it can depict a situation where something is flooded with an excessive amount of a given element, such as an emotion. This word conveys a sense of surpassing boundaries, control, or expectation, implying a significant or impactful action that alters the original state or order of a situation. It suggests a forceful and often disruptive intrusion or expansion, leading to an alteration of the pre-existing situation or event.

Overran meaning with examples

• The flood waters overran the levees, causing widespread devastation throughout the town. Homes were submerged, businesses destroyed, and residents had to evacuate to safer areas. The relentless force of the river overwhelmed everything, making rescue efforts extremely challenging amidst the chaos.
• During the chaos, the rebellious forces overran the capital city within a matter of hours, capturing key government buildings. Their swift and unexpected advance caught the ruling authorities completely off guard, creating a major power shift and instilling fear in many citizens.
• The project overran its budget by 20%, primarily due to unforeseen complications during the construction phase. The costs for materials and labor escalated dramatically, forcing the company to seek additional funding to reach completion, which caused delays.
• A wave of panic overran the crowd when a false alarm sounded during the concert, causing a scramble for the exits. The concert went to a halt as the sudden fear spread like wildfire, overwhelming people and resulting in some minor injuries.
• As the empire expanded its territory, its armies overran the surrounding kingdoms, annexing them into a large and dominant nation. The conquest brought the empire's rule to those areas. The once-independent kingdoms lost their sovereignty in the expansion.