Synonyms of overcome

overcome 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈkəm 

1

as in to defeat

to achieve a victory over

the baseball team finally overcame their opponents in the 13th inning

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defeat
• conquer
• master
• worst
• take
• get
• surmount
• beat
• best
• stop
• subdue
• dispatch
• succeed
• prevail (over)
• win (against)
• triumph (over)
• overmatch
• get the better of
• lick
• get around
• overbear
• upend
• overwhelm
• trim
• surpass
• do down
• bury
• finish
• crush
• skunk
• exceed
• better
• knock for a loop
• sweep
• upset
• slaughter
• vanquish
• excel
• blow out
• score
• annihilate
• transcend
• break
• whip
• blow away
• flourish
• flatten
• nose out
• trounce
• edge (out)
• subjugate
• rout
• overthrow
• overpower
• skin
• snow under
• clobber
• bomb
• cream
• top
• cap
• outdo
• unseat
• smoke
• knock over
• outshine
• thrash
• drub
• outdistance
• pip
• outstrip
• wallop
• shellac
• eclipse
• wax
• outfight
• ace (out)
• knock off
• overtop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)
• fall
• give up
• go down
• fail
• go under
• collapse
• fold
• wash out
• flunk
• flop

2

as in to overwhelm

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress

already under stress, she was overcome by news of a death in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

• overwhelm
• devastate
• crush
• oppress
• overpower
• grind (down)
• swamp
• disturb
• floor
• defeat
• drown
• prostrate
• snow under
• whelm
• rock
• overmaster
• refute
• upset
• sink
• distress
• shatter
• throw
• deluge
• stagger
• demoralize
• confute
• break
• unnerve
• unman

overcome

2 of 2

adjective

as in uncovered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uncovered
• preyed (on or upon)
• passive
• unsafe
• untenable
• disarmed
• resistless
• unarmed
• feeble
• susceptible
• vulnerable
• exposed
• helpless
• weak
• unprotected
• indefensible
• defenseless
• high and dry
• abandoned
• undefended
• frail
• unguarded
• unresistant
• marooned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resistant
• protected
• covered
• secure
• armed
• safe
• invulnerable
• sheltered
• immune
• fortified
• shielded
• defensible
• strong
• guarded
• screened
• invincible
• armored
• impenetrable
• impregnable
• unconquerable
• omnipotent
• unassailable
• unbeatable
• almighty

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

Recent Examples of overcome

Verb

Although some Americans struggle to overcome the stigma of bankruptcy, experts recommend filing for protection sooner rather than later in order to shield their assets from creditors. —Alain Sherter, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025

Owner Accidentally Steps On Pup By Liz O'Connell Pets Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 0 A pet parent who was overcome with guilt after accidentally hitting her pup while cleaning the house called the incident her worst nightmare. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025

His team will have to overcome a number of other challengers in a series of regattas to earn the right to take on New Zealand in the first-to-seven-points final itself. —Andrew Rice, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Republicans will need Democratic support to overcome a 60-vote threshold to be able to pass the bill in the Senate. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025