overcome

[ oh-ver-kuhm ]

/ ˌoʊ vərˈkʌm /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR overcome ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), o·ver·came, o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.

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

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, o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.

to gain the victory; win; conquer: a plan to overcome by any means possible.

Words nearby overcome

overcloud, overcoat, overcoat, the, overcoating, overcoil, overcome, overcommit, overcompensate, overcompensation, overcomplex, overconfident

Origin of overcome

before 900; Middle English; Old English ofercuman. See over-, come

SYNONYMS FOR overcome

1 vanquish.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR overcome ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM overcome

o·ver·com·er, nounun·o·ver·come, adjective

synonym study for overcome

1. See defeat.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for overcome

She fails to appreciate the congressional and constitutional obstacles Johnson had to overcome to win passage of the bill.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She was separated from her colleagues after they were overcome by smoke and heat and ordered to withdraw.
The Mystery Death Of A Female Firefighter|Christopher Moraff|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To overcome these impediments, at least two tour operators bring visitors into the region.
Egypt Ain’t The Only Pyramid Show In Town|Nina Strochlic|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What kind of advice would you give to young women to overcome that glass ceiling?
In All-Girls Schools, a Formula for Success|Bobby Blanchard|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And that suggests these attacks were such that the victims were driven to overcome the usual reluctance to file a report.
The Math That Keeps Helping College Rapists|Michael Daly|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is not the persons who sin the least, but those who overcome the strongest temptations, who are the most virtuous.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 13, No. 75, January, 1864|Various
But I have wrestled with misfortune in vain; I have struggled with want, till want has overcome me.
Bentley's Miscellany, Volume II|Various
Night and day he had been examining evidence, pondering the difficulties to be overcome, and the chances of success.
The Catholic World, Vol. X, October 1869|Various
Some one suggested that he might have been overcome by fear, and might have hidden himself.
Our Home in the Silver West|Gordon Stables
To overcome this I made several blades with teeth as shown in the sketch.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

overcome

verb (used with object), o·ver·came, o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.

verb (used without object), o·ver·came, o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.

Content related to overcome

Words related to overcome

Words nearby overcome

Origin of overcome

SYNONYMS FOR overcome

OTHER WORDS FROM overcome

synonym study for overcome

Examples from the Web for overcome

British Dictionary definitions for overcome

verb -comes, -coming, -came or -come