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overcome
[ oh-ver-kuhm ]
/ ˌoʊ vərˈkʌm /
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verb (used with object), o·ver·came [oh-ver-keym], /ˌoʊ vərˈkeɪm/, o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.
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), o·ver·came [oh-ver-keym], /ˌoʊ vərˈkeɪm/, o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
synonym study for overcome
1. See defeat.
OTHER WORDS FROM overcome
o·ver·com·er, nounun·o·ver·come, adjectiveWords nearby overcome
overclothes, overcloud, overcoat, overcoating, overcoil, overcome, overcomer, overcommit, overcompensate, overcompensation, overcomplex
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use overcome in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for overcome
overcome
/ (ˌəʊvəˈkʌm) /
verb -comes, -coming, -came or -come
(tr) to get the better of in a conflict
(tr; often passive) to render incapable or powerless by laughter, sorrow, exhaustion, etche 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
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