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overcome definition

over·come (ō′vər kum′)

transitive verb overcame -·came′, overcome -·come′, overcoming -·com′·ing

  1. to get the better of in competition, struggle, etc.; conquer
  2. to master, prevail over, or surmount to overcome obstacles
  3. to make helpless; overpower or overwhelm overcome by pity

Etymology: ME ouercomen < OE ofercuman

intransitive verb

to be victorious; win

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

overcome Synonyms

overcome

modif.

  1. Beaten

    conquered, overwhelmed, overthrown; see beaten 1.

  2. Seized

    apprehended, appropriated, pre-empted; see captured 1, held.


overcome

v.

overwhelm, subdue, master, surmount; see defeat 1, 2, succeed 1, win 1. See syn. study at defeat.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

overcome Usage Examples

Object

  • obstacle: I want to hear from you about how we can overcome these obstacles.

Subject

  • fume: The men in question, who with others were taking part in the operation, were overcome by the fumes.

Adjective complement

  • evil: His legend is deeply concerned with the power of chastity to overcome evil, yet he is also a strong symbol of fertility.

Modifying Another Word

  • partially: As the interdisciplinary meeting ground evolves and expands, these difficulties are partially overcome.

Used with why or when

  • whatever: She has a natural ability to communicate with everybody and has a passion for helping others overcome whatever obstacles they may have.

Preposition: with

  • grief: The dog was so overcome with grief and woe that he left the hole as a reminder to all.

Preposition: by

  • fume: The men in question, who with others were taking part in the operation, were overcome by the fumes.
overcome usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"overcome." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/overcome>

APA Style

overcome. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/overcome

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