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 of overcome

• 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

Social and playful 694 faces Katmai Brady Bunch member 620, while two bears that overcame incredible odds, 610 and 89 (Backpack), vie for votes in the other first round fight. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026

Cage solved my next problem by insisting that the way to discover new things is to overcome our dependence on our likes and dislikes, those supposed pillars of criticism. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

When two-year-old Poppy is unexpectedly separated from the adult caring for her, five different dogs must overcome their instincts, and one another, to bring her safely home. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026

Costco Wholesale reported quarterly figures that show the company is taking steps to overcome macroeconomic pressures, setting up the stock for a big move higher, according to Goldman Sachs. — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

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

• callosum
• nodosum
• pyrethrum
• saccharum
• abomasum
• become
• checksum
• humdrum
• income
• outcome
• pisum
• succumb

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