1
as in defeating
to achieve a victory over
the baseball team finally overcame their opponents in the 13th inning
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in overwhelming
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overcoming
For me, Gregg’s incredible voice resonates not just in his music but in his humanity, in overcoming the murder of his father, the early death of his brother Duane, and his personal demons.
—
Jem Aswad, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
The first step to overcoming a fear of abandonment can look like opening up to your partner about your concerns.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
UConn started 4-for-12 on layups and trailed for almost the entire first half, overcoming its first halftime deficit since the 2025 Sweet 16.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
Canada also advanced to the semifinals, overcoming one-goal deficits twice to beat Czechia 4-3 in overtime.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Josef Köhler Pyrotechnics set a critical precedent by overcoming significant chemical engineering hurdles to provide the film industry with a non-toxic, low-flash alternative that preserved the use of practical bullet hits while meeting rigorous new European safety and environmental standards.
—Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026
Jones said her journey to reach this point has been defined by overcoming adversity and a devotion to family.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
The events of Sunday night — dominance on defense, big-time blocks and timely runs — were not the culmination of a Seahawks team outperforming a Las Vegas win total projection, proving pundits wrong and overcoming any odds.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Jem Aswad, Variety, 20 Feb. 2026
The first step to overcoming a fear of abandonment can look like opening up to your partner about your concerns.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
UConn started 4-for-12 on layups and trailed for almost the entire first half, overcoming its first halftime deficit since the 2025 Sweet 16.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
Canada also advanced to the semifinals, overcoming one-goal deficits twice to beat Czechia 4-3 in overtime.
—Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Josef Köhler Pyrotechnics set a critical precedent by overcoming significant chemical engineering hurdles to provide the film industry with a non-toxic, low-flash alternative that preserved the use of practical bullet hits while meeting rigorous new European safety and environmental standards.
—Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026
Jones said her journey to reach this point has been defined by overcoming adversity and a devotion to family.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Feb. 2026
Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
The events of Sunday night — dominance on defense, big-time blocks and timely runs — were not the culmination of a Seahawks team outperforming a Las Vegas win total projection, proving pundits wrong and overcoming any odds.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcoming
Verb
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Koda Holeman opened the match by defeating Jeremiah Reno by technical fall 17-2.—
Michael Harley,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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The Senate approved its version (SB 7040) by a largely partisan vote of 29-10, after defeating a Democratic amendment to restrict the spending to genuine disasters.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The goal is a home that feels warm and welcoming, with just enough personality to stand out—without overwhelming the block.—
Lauren Jones,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
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The monochromatic black palette allows all these bold elements to coexist without overwhelming the look.—
Shelby Comroe,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Participating from the original sessions were Earle Mankey, the first engineer at Brother Studio in the 1970s; John Hanlon, the second engineer for those same recordings; and mastering engineer Jeff Peters, who first put the mixes to vinyl.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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Liu skated on, mastering her jumps and repeating as national champion in 2020, though age restrictions prevented her from entering international competitions.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bass, politically bruised over her handling of last year’s devastating Palisades fire, now faces an insurgent campaign from one of the City Council’s savviest players.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Basically, look for a design that looks like as though was made for walking in the Mediterranean, but also for conquering the city streets.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2026
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Before 1946, conquering disease would have seemed as much a subject of science fiction as putting a man on the moon.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Safeguarding athletes But what about junior- and novice-level skaters, including those not even teenagers yet, who may get to revel in the soaring highs of hearing a good score but must also suffer through the soul-crushing lows of hearing a poor one?—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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It was led by Yoshiko Noda, a staid veteran politician, who briefly served as an undistinguished prime minister in 2012 and led his party to a crushing defeat at the hands of Shinzo Abe and the LDP.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Scottie Barnes won the opening 12-minute game for the Stars with a game-ending 3-pointer in overtime, beating the World 37-36 after Edwards forced OT.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
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Shooting and beating American citizens in the streets, demolishing history, covering up obvious crimes, threatening our allies, targeting political adversaries and using the office for personal enrichment are just a few things that have occurred and gone unchecked by powers that control Congress.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Also on Tuesday, Indivisible CT is conducting an anti-ICE rally on the state Capitol lawn, taking political aim at a federal agency that has fallen sharply out of public favor after killing two American citizens in Minnesota and roughing up scores of others.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
17 Feb. 2026
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The European Union’s first offshore carbon storage facility, taking emissions from Denmark and injecting them into the seabed below the North Sea, is due to start operating by mid-2026.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcoming. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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