as in to overcome
to achieve a victory over
an Olympic swimmer who surmounted endless obstacles to achieve her goals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 surmount
Even if Beijing can mitigate these problems, the United States’ incumbent position in the world order and its enviable natural resources may provide structural bulwarks that China is unable to surmount.
—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Many people believed this couldn’t be surmounted, and work on the problem largely stopped.
—Michael Moyer, Quanta Magazine, 16 Dec. 2025
The lopsided first half was just too much to surmount.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
But as long as money is changing hands, there is an invisible barrier between them and a power differential that can’t be surmounted.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surmount
Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Many people believed this couldn’t be surmounted, and work on the problem largely stopped.
—Michael Moyer, Quanta Magazine, 16 Dec. 2025
The lopsided first half was just too much to surmount.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
But as long as money is changing hands, there is an invisible barrier between them and a power differential that can’t be surmounted.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surmount
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surmount
Verb
-
Sheriff Garry McFadden overcame a litany of scandals and a criminal investigation on Tuesday night, fending off challengers in the race for sheriff, according to unofficial election results.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Green Wave overcame a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter and forced OT on Younger’s baseline drive with 20 seconds remaining and Sauls’ layup with 10 seconds left.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Luka Doncic scored 44 points despite not playing the fourth quarter, and the Lakers defeated the struggling Indiana Pacers 128-117 on Friday night with LeBron James and Deandre Ayton out because of injury.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Birdville defeated Heritage 77-71 in the state semifinals last season before falling in the state title game to Beaumont West Brook in overtime.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Because when volume is understood and mastered, there is no outfit that doesn’t look self-assured.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Hepburn was known for her distinct voice and cadence, which is something Collins will have to focus on mastering.—
Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Shakespeare’s fierce and primal tragedy follows the celebrated warrior who knows how to conquer enemies but not how to win hearts.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
After fashion’s front row set conquered London, the caravan rolled onto Milan Fashion Week, where the energy felt instantly amplified.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And areas of south Lebanon – Hezbollah’s home turf – have once again been pounded from across the Israeli border, leaving dozens of people killed and injured, while thousands have fled their homes to take shelter out of the line of fire.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
On the smallest scales, structure gets washed out, while on larger scales, structure takes a long time to form, as larger scales plus the finite speed of gravity translate into longer timescales for collapse.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surmount.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surmount. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
