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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
Verb
But occasionally, a bear outsmarts us or overcomes our defenses. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 17 May 2025 Players utilize a set of common rules -- that can be altered by the game master -- and dice to overcome obstacles as the group works to collaboratively tell a story. Remington Miller, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2025 But the May 9 order gave no insight into how the president planned to overcome hurdles that have long stymied the dream of a vibrant veteran community on the 388-acre property, which was donated to the U.S. government in 1888 as a home for disabled soldiers. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 Even before the latest crackdown, Florida Decides Healthcare and every other Florida initiative campaign had to overcome immense hurdles. Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for overcome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcome
Verb
  • The moment transpired seven months after the Liberty defeated the Minessota Lynx in a riveting five-game WNBA Finals.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
  • But 19 months after the war in Gaza began, Israel has failed to either defeat Hamas or free all of the captives.
    Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Authorities said rushing water in a nearby creek overwhelmed the area.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Whatever the case, Indiana’s full-court pressure, physicality on the perimeter and timely shooting overwhelmed the Cavs at times and were enough to overcome early and late deficits at other points throughout the series.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Obscenity laws, most aggressively enforced by the U.S. Postal Service, attempted to keep that excitement within bounds—no uncovered or obviously aroused penises, no affectionate or suggestive physical contact.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 May 2025
  • Another high-profile case linked to Moscow was the uncovered Armin Papperger, the head of the German concern Rheinmetall.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • For McIlroy — who relied on the services of a sports psychologist to conquer the mountain of winning golf’s Grand Slam — the moment of victory was a long time coming, and an emotional one.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • Tiger Woods ruled the PGA Championship again Having already conquered the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and The Open Championship at St. Andrews earlier that year, Tiger Woods arrived at Valhalla Golf Club in 2000, chasing yet another milestone.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Beyond the immediate dead, the refugees, destroyed agriculture, loss of economic capacity, all would utterly devastate China.
    Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Independent cinema—arguably the heart of artistic risk and innovation, would be devastated.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Follow the following design tips to master the art of styling your end table.
    Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025
  • Bridges, though, throughout an up-and-down season, has mastered adversity at every turn.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • What’s Next for Agencies Investing in Interactive Avatars? For marketing agencies, the opportunity lies in rethinking ad creative—moving from passive to interactive experiences that give users a reason to engage.
    Jiajun Lu, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Topics include earning passive income online, mastering communication and public speaking, acing your job interview, and practical strategies to grow your wealth.
    CNBC Make It Staff, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • When something hurts or feels unsafe, your body tenses up to protect you (also known as muscle guarding).
    Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 13 May 2025
  • Feeling unsafe is debilitating, squashes our creativity, is discouraging and makes dealing with uncertainty so much more difficult.
    Sanjeev Menon, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcome. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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