1. to cover or engulf completely
Usage: archaic or literary
2. to overcome completely; to overwhelm
Usage: archaic or literary

Examples

• The massive wave threatened to whelm the small boat.
• Dark clouds began to whelm the mountain peak.
• The flood waters would whelm the entire valley.
• Grief seemed to whelm her completely.
• The avalanche would whelm everything in its path.
• Rising tides whelm the coastal rocks twice daily.