An overwhelming feeling is a powerful emotion that can be difficult to handle or process. It is a strong sensation that can be positive or negative, and it can leave a person feeling overpowered, overcome or unable to cope. This phrase is often used to describe an intense emotion such as joy, love or excitement on one hand, and fear, anxiety or sadness on the other. It can also refer to a sense of being completely engulfed by an experience, such that it dominates one's thoughts or actions.