Overcome

Quick meaning: Overcome is a verb meaning (transitive) To surmount (a physical or abstract obstacle); to prevail over, to get the better of.

Meaning

(transitive) To surmount (a physical or abstract obstacle); to prevail over, to get the better of.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive) To prevail.
2. (transitive) To recover from (a difficulty), to get over.
3. (transitive) To win against or prevail over in some sort of battle, contest, etc.
4. To come or pass over; to spread over.
5. (Scotland) The burden or recurring theme in a song.
6. (Scotland) A surplus.
7. (obsolete) To overflow; to surcharge.

Example Sentences

to overcome enemies in battle

We shall overcome because Carlyle is right; "no lie can live forever".

But sith this wretched woman ouercome / Of anguish, rather then of crime hath beene,

By and by fumes of brandy began to fill the air, and climb to where I lay, overcoming the mouldy smell of decayed wood and the dampness of the green walls.

Word Forms

• overcomes
• overcoming
• overcame

Synonyms for overcome

Depending on context, synonyms include vanquish, overtake, recreant, foiled, bested, broken.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include surmount, overpower, swamped, overwhelm, defeat, subdue.

Related Dictionary Tools