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View synonyms for overcome

overcome

[ oh-ver-kuhm ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·came [oh-ver-, keym], o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.
  1. to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat:

    to overcome the enemy.

    Synonyms: vanquish

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

    to overcome one's weaknesses.

  3. to overpower or overwhelm in body or mind, as does liquor, a drug, exertion, or emotion:

    I was overcome with grief.

  4. Archaic. to overspread or overrun.


verb (used without object)

, o·ver·came [oh-ver-, keym], o·ver·come, o·ver·com·ing.
  1. to gain the victory; win; conquer:

    a plan to overcome by any means possible.

overcome

/ ˌəʊvəˈkʌm /

verb

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

    he was overcome by fumes

  3. tr to surmount (obstacles, objections, etc)
  4. 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


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Other Words From

  • o·ver·com·er noun
  • un·o·ver·come adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of overcome1

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

See defeat.
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Example Sentences

Fortune recently spoke with Tedder to learn more about his new business venture, the lessons learned, the hurdles overcome, and plans for the next year.

From Fortune

Public-health officials will also have to overcome reluctance by some Americans to get a shot.

From Fortune

Joe knows what it’s like to struggle, which is why he gives his personal phone number to kids overcoming a stutter of their own.

From Fortune

Now, scientists have pinpointed a compound emitted by congregating locusts that might explain how individuals of one widespread species overcome their innate aversion to socializing.

In addition to that tension, the Jazz will also have to overcome the absence of Bojan Bogdanović, who is out for the restart after having surgery on his wrist.

Who knew that “we shall overcome” meant “we, the few, shall book covers every decade or so, maybe, sometimes, if we are in style.”

She fails to appreciate the congressional and constitutional obstacles Johnson had to overcome to win passage of the bill.

She was separated from her colleagues after they were overcome by smoke and heat and ordered to withdraw.

To overcome these impediments, at least two tour operators bring visitors into the region.

What kind of advice would you give to young women to overcome that glass ceiling?

His departure in autumn had been so gradual, that it was difficult to say when night began to overcome the day.

In brief, by the close of the year, the phenomenal conditions growing directly out of the European war had been met and overcome.

De Castellor was now in his seat; and when Castanos came off; the Duke was stunned into stupor, overcome by the illimitable ruin.

A very brief exercise of Mr. Sikess art sufficed to overcome the fastening of the lattice, and it soon stood wide open also.

He gazed at us all in wonderment, and, overcome by mingled shame and exhaustion, I sank into a chair and popped no more.

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