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

• defeat
• conquer
• master
• worst
• take
• get
• surmount
• beat
• best
• stop
• subdue

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

He was reminded that his career had been shaped by overcoming doubts and slights going back to high school, when he was offered the same amount of Division I football scholarships that were offered to the average sportswriter who covers him. —Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

Four years ago, Biden enjoyed a lead of more than 100,000 votes in mail-in balloting, more than enough to overcome a narrow Trump lead in early voting and on Election Day itself. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025

But the selling was orderly and a two-day breach of the 50-day moving average turned out to have been a false breakdown, quickly overcome by the bulls. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025

For female entrepreneurs in particular, Michaelson's story provides both inspiration and a roadmap—showing that principled leadership and patient capital can overcome systemic disadvantages to create lasting impact. —Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for overcome

• nodosum
• pyrethrum
• saccharum
• abomasum
• become
• checksum
• humdrum
• income
• outcome
• succumb
• therefrom
• wherefrom

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