surmount

[ ser-mount ]

verb (used with object)

1. to mount upon; get on the top of; mount upon and cross over:

   to surmount a hill.

2. to get over or across (barriers, obstacles, etc.).
3. to prevail over:

   to surmount tremendous difficulties.

4. to be on top of or above:

   a statue surmounting a pillar.

5. to furnish with something placed on top or above:

   to surmount a tower with a spire.

6. Obsolete.
   1. to surpass in excellence.
   2. to exceed in amount.

surmount

/ sɜːˈmaʊnt /

verb

1. to prevail over; overcome

   to surmount tremendous difficulties

2. to ascend and cross to the opposite side of
3. to lie on top of or rise above
4. to put something on top of or above
5. obsolete.
   to surpass or exceed

Derived Forms

• surˈmounter, noun
• surˈmountable, adjective
• surˈmountableness, noun

Other Word Forms

• sur·mount·a·ble [ser-, moun, -t, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• sur·mount·er noun
• un·sur·mount·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of surmount¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Anglo-French sormonter, surmounter, Old French sor(e)monter, s(o)urmonter; sur- ¹, mount ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of surmount¹

C14: from Old French surmonter, from sur- ¹+ monter to mount ¹

Example Sentences

After Reagan weakened labor unions, income inequality skyrocketed; when he did the same thing to civil rights legislation, systemic racial barriers were left even harder to surmount.

From Salon

Elwood is convinced he can surmount obstacles; Turner is resigned to going around them.

From Los Angeles Times

The results have implications for efforts to help children with hearing loss surmount initial language delays caused by a lack of auditory input and access to speech sounds before they receive cochlear implants.

From Science Daily

His candidacy again surmounted innumerable obstacles and defied much of a political establishment that views him with utter disdain.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s precisely why I forced myself to surmount my anxiety on the second day of Lollapalooza when we were slated to see the Chilis.

From Salon

Related Words

• conquer