Which word indicates a strong and often overwhelming sentiment?

The term that best indicates a strong and often overwhelming sentiment is indeed "overwhelming." This word conveys a sense of being overpoweringly strong, whether in emotional expression or in the intensity of feelings. When something is described as overwhelming, it suggests that the sentiment can be so powerful that it may surpass one's ability to cope with or respond to it effectively.

While "intense" also captures a high degree of emotion, it does not inherently imply that the sentiment is unmanageable or engulfing, as "overwhelming" does. Other choices such as "subdued" and "moderate" refer to feelings that are much less intense, indicating a calm or restrained emotion rather than a strong one. In summary, "overwhelming" fundamentally suggests a forceful and sometimes excessive feeling that aligns perfectly with the idea of a strong sentiment.