Showing results for overcome. Search instead for over come.

Synonyms

overcome

American

[oh-ver-kuhm] / ˌoʊ vərˈkʌm /

verb (used with object)

to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat.

to overcome the enemy.

Synonyms:

vanquish
to prevail over (opposition, a debility, temptations, etc.); surmount.

to overcome one's weaknesses.
to overpower or overwhelm in body or mind, as does liquor, a drug, exertion, or emotion.

I was overcome with grief.
Archaic. to overspread or overrun.

verb (used without object)

to gain the victory; win; conquer.

a plan to overcome by any means possible.

overcome British

/ ˌəʊvəˈkʌm /

verb

(tr) to get the better of in a conflict
(tr; often passive) to render incapable or powerless by laughter, sorrow, exhaustion, etc

he was overcome by fumes
(tr) to surmount (obstacles, objections, etc)
(intr) to be victorious

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See defeat.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of overcome

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English ofercuman; see over-, come

Explanation

Use the verb overcome when you talk about someone who has triumphed over adversity. It's great to see a friend who's always struggled in school overcome his learning disabilities and make the honor roll. You can also be overcome with emotions, or overwhelmed by your feelings. Many people feel so overcome with sadness at a movie — or happiness at a wedding — that they regret not bringing a pile of tissues with them. The verb overcome also means to win or surpass. If you are going to win the marathon, you are going to have to overcome having five runners ahead of you.

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Vocabulary lists containing overcome

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

overcome overcomes overcame overcoming

To overcome that limitation, Wu, Huang and their colleagues redesigned both the composition and structure of the nanoparticles.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2026

“She taught me how to overcome a difficult situation with a positive attitude,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026

AI developers face a collective-action problem that only an agreement to coordinate activities can overcome.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

In this case, the government had to overcome the district court’s factual findings about the unfairness of the rule.

From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026

But for the first time, Doha felt a terrible rage overcome him.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

This overcomes a key challenge facing Moore's Law that Intel sums up as: "You can make something smaller and smaller and smaller... until you can't".

From Barron's ● May 25, 2026

What is your vision for how Europe overcomes this?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 21, 2026

"Our nanoparticle-based strategy overcomes these bottlenecks," said Professor Shi.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 28, 2026

But even here, her sincerity overcomes her weakness for sentimental flourishes, including Amine Bouhafa’s treacly score.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 9, 2026

Soon Mother will send word of his birth to the bishop, who will rule on our future, but for now my delight in Hamlet overcomes any fear.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

He did not play when the Blues overcame German giants Bayern Munich on penalties to be crowned champions of Europe.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026

The total overcame the milestone set by “The Studio” with its 13 wins last year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

This 66-year-old overcame the odds and found a new job.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

The result also overcame significant doubts within the scientific community about whether sunlight could realistically drive the process.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026

But Daniel was already lowering himself back onto the couch, and an itch of curiosity overcame him.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

They’re the best team in the AL, overcoming their low payroll to emerge as a powerhouse.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

"Everyone has the feeling that their technical capabilities are growing in terms of autonomy, in terms of overcoming electronic warfare systems, and in terms of the distance at which they can fire."

From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026

By overcoming their pre-tournament concerns, Sabalenka and Rybakina have underlined their position as the two standout players on the WTA Tour.

From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026

The technological leap AI promises “can result in investors pulling forward the value of future growth and overcoming macro headwinds.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

Often it involves overcoming my fears—as it did in this case.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023