overcome
[ oh-ver-kuhm ]
/ ˌoʊ vərˈkʌm /
verb (used with object), o·ver·came [oh-ver-keym], /ˌoʊ vərˈkeɪm/, 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 [oh-ver-keym], /ˌoʊ vərˈkeɪm/, o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.
to gain the victory; win; conquer: a plan to overcome by any means possible.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
synonym study for overcome
1. See defeat.
OTHER WORDS FROM overcome
o·ver·com·er, nounun·o·ver·come, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for overcome
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
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