overcome

verb

over·​come ˌō-vər-ˈkəm How to pronounce overcome (audio)
overcame ˌō-vər-ˈkām How to pronounce overcome (audio) ; 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
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 The Cyclones overcame a 21-point deficit in a 93-86 win over No. 10 Maryland (19-14) behind a 40-point outburst from freshman center Audi Crooks. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024 The Cyclones overcame a 20-point deficit to seal a 93-86 win in the first round of the tournament, completing the second-largest comeback in NCAA women’s championship history, just a point behind the largest. Ben Morse, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024 Little by little these prejudices will be overcome. Billboard Italy, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024 His predicted upset in the South Regional didn’t come to fruition, as No. 2 Marquette overcame a 10-point first-half deficit to defeat No. 15 Western Kentucky 87-69. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Marduk, like Mordecai, overcame a deadly enemy and celebrated his triumph with a banquet. Esther Brownsmith, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2024 In Hondo’s unsparing view, overcoming colonialism’s unresolved legacy is a challenge that demands almost superhuman courage and resolve, along with an uninhibited sense of spiritual freedom. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 Boeing’s 737 Max jets were previously grounded in 2019 when software forced down the noses of two new planes in a way their pilots could not overcome, causing two crashes that killed 346 people. Niha Masih, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 The came together enough to overcome Brazil’s advantages for possession (56.5 to 43.5), shots on goal (11-7) and fouls, with nearly twice as many. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overcome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcome was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near overcome

Cite this Entry

“Overcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcome. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overcome

verb
over·​come ˌō-vər-ˈkəm How to pronounce overcome (audio)
overcame -ˈkām How to pronounce overcome (audio) ; overcome; overcoming
1
: to gain an advantage or victory over
overcome an enemy
2
: to make helpless or exhausted
was overcome by gas

More from Merriam-Webster on overcome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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