overcome

verb

over·​come ˌō-vər-ˈkəm 

overcame ˌō-vər-ˈkām  ; overcome; overcoming

transitive verb

1

: to get the better of : surmount

overcome difficulties

They overcame the enemy.

2

: overwhelm

were overcome by the heat and smoke

intransitive verb

: to gain the superiority : win

strong in the faith that truth would overcome

Synonyms

• beat
• best
• conquer
• defeat
• dispatch
• do down [British]
• get
• get around
• lick
• master
• overbear
• overmatch
• prevail (over)
• skunk
• stop
• subdue
• surmount
• take
• trim
• triumph (over)
• upend
• win (against)
• worst

Choose the Right Synonym for overcome

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy.

conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of overcome in a Sentence

After a tough battle, they overcame the enemy.

a story about overcoming adversity

She overcame a leg injury and is back running again.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sonia Lapinsky, head of the fashion practice at AlixPartners, said that the total luxury sector has grown 9.6 percent since 2019, overcoming a 2020 dip. —Omari Daniels, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

In approving funding for the World Cup, supporters overcame early skepticism from some lawmakers, who doubted how matches played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City would benefit Kansas beyond the metro area. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024

Houston responded with a 9-0 run as Curry hit the bench and a rash of turnovers overcame Golden State, but Chris Paul nailed a pair of 3-pointers to stem the Rockets’ rally. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024

However, some traits will help individuals overcome the hurdles that come with starting a business. —Kyle Russell, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024

These sons of loggers, shipyard workers and farmers overcame psychological, physical and economic hardships to beat not only the Ivy League teams of the East Coast, but Adolf Hitler’s elite German rowers. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024

It was intended to offer a welcoming space for addicts to overcome challenges through emotional and verbal catharsis. —Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024

Barnes had 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, going 5 of 7 from beyond the arc to help the Kings overcome the absences of Huerter and Monk. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 1 Apr. 2024

While the European Union has attempted to fill the void created by partisan bickering in Congress, the bloc must overcome its own internal disagreements on military aid to Kyiv. —Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ofercuman, from ofer over + cuman to come

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

overcome

verb

over·​come ˌō-vər-ˈkəm 

overcame -ˈkām  ; overcome; overcoming

1

: to gain an advantage or victory over

overcome an enemy

2

: to make helpless or exhausted

was overcome by gas