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

Pointing to a legal analysis weighing reasons why the FTC's antitrust claims might not hold up in court, Olson suggested that the FTC is unlikely to overcome constitutional protections and win its ad war on the merits. —Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2025

The eventual winner will have to overcome astronomical odds of 1 in 292.2 million to win the Powerball jackpot. —Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2025

If the injury bug becomes too much for the 49ers and/or Rams to overcome — and that's happened before — these two will be right there to take advantage. —Austin Mock, New York Times, 21 Aug. 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