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

There can be ways to overcome the objections of the people who are concerned that new technology will make their jobs obsolete. —Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

Bravely overcoming one small fear gives you the courage to take on the next. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 4 July 2025

In order to become FIA president, Mayer will have a number of hurdles to overcome, including putting together an executive team spread across different global regions before going forward for the ballot. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 July 2025

Others tolerate challenging growing conditions, like heat and drought, or were bred to overcome common problems such as heavy soil. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 July 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