overcome 1 of 2

overcome

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb overcome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overcome are conquer, defeat, overthrow, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When could conquer be used to replace overcome?

While the synonyms conquer and overcome are close in meaning, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

How are the words defeat and vanquish related as synonyms of overcome?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

When might overthrow be a better fit than overcome?

Although the words overthrow and overcome have much in common, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When is it sensible to use reduce instead of overcome?

While in some cases nearly identical to overcome, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

When can subdue be used instead of overcome?

The synonyms subdue and overcome are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When would vanquish be a good substitute for overcome?

The words vanquish and overcome can be used in similar contexts, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overcome
Adjective
This has resulted in limitations in precisely observing metabolite changes over time and in actual human subjects, hence the team's goal to overcome this. Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025 Charlotte rushed for 181 yards on the ground, overcoming more than 100 yards in penalties to score its first victory. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025 Every ceremony must overcome the inherently repetitive nature of its format. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025 How often does below/average goaltending make the playoffs and how much stronger do the skaters need to be to overcome it? Chris Johnston, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overcome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcome
Verb
  • The Dodgers went on to defeat the Giants by the score of 6-3 giving Kershaw a no-decision while clinching a postseason berth.
    Wayne G. McDonnell, Forbes.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Cam Macgregor tossed two touchdown passes and ran for a score, while Mason Alger ran for two touchdowns as Bellingham defeated Westwood 34-12 in the Tri-Valley League.
    Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Feehan dominated the third and fourth sets to overwhelm the Bishops and earn a bounce-back 3-1 win (25-27, 26-24, 25-8, 25-9) at McIntyre Gymnasium after dropping its first match of the season last week.
    Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
  • There is a murky risk that old movies will attract old people, who, as a rule, like nothing better than to rummage through their recollections of being overwhelmed by something half a century ago.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Parking is available for $23 a day at an uncovered lot and $28 a day in a covered garage.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The three uncovered slides have soft but firm padding that extends more than 10 feet past the end of the slide.
    Gillian Stawiszynski, The Enquirer, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger conquered DWTS season 10 with Derek Hough, and she's been unstoppable ever since.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Sep. 2025
  • But the filming may have started way before the Eras Tour conquered the globe.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On September 7, dog owner Brittany U'Wren was devastated to learn that her rescue Shitzu mix, named Lexi, had escaped through the garage and disappeared from her home in Lexington, Kentucky.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Ajok said that a friend, a fellow Ugandan athlete, told her that after taking medication and undergoing surgery in order to compete, they were left feeling devastated.
    Amy Woodyatt, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Even professional translators in Shanghai and New York are scrambling to master new AI models to safeguard their jobs.
    Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The star recalled his early days, from performing with Michael Jackson and being friends with Alfonso, before learning how to master his Tango routine.
    Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet rather than turning to practical measures, like budgeting or building an emergency fund, many are opting for passive comfort through screens.
    Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The system includes advanced sensors, such as AESA radar and the CEAFAR tactical radar, and uses passive detection tools.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • However, by the late 1920s, the river was once again polluted by industrial and human runoff and was deemed unsafe for swimming.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Her vision focuses not on the supernatural tales long associated with the site, but on the systemic injustices that forced workers into unsafe conditions.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcome. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

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