overcome
verb
over·come
ˌō-vər-ˈkəm 
overcame
ˌō-vər-ˈkām
; overcome; overcoming
; overcome; overcoming
1
: to get the better of : surmount
overcome difficulties
They overcame the enemy.
2
: overwhelm
were overcome by the heat and smoke
: to gain the superiority : win
strong in the faith that truth would overcome
Synonyms
Examples of overcome in a Sentence
After a tough battle, they overcame the enemy.
a story about overcoming adversity
She overcame a leg injury and is back running again.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Lunar Owls overcame a six-point deficit and ended up winning the league’s first game 84-80 after Diggins-Smith hit a game-ending 3-pointer.
—
Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Both quarterbacks, roommates at the Manning Passing Academy, overcame difficult, and certainly shocking, defeats on their way to leading Ohio State and Notre Dame, respectively, to Monday’s CFP national championship game in Atlanta.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
From Klay Thompson to Shaun Livingston to Ball, the NBA has been filled with stories of players overcoming tremendous physical and personal adversity to return to the court.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Behind the camera is an Indian migrant who is seeking to overcome the distance between himself and a country full of contradictions and anxieties.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overcome 
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Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Both quarterbacks, roommates at the Manning Passing Academy, overcame difficult, and certainly shocking, defeats on their way to leading Ohio State and Notre Dame, respectively, to Monday’s CFP national championship game in Atlanta.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
From Klay Thompson to Shaun Livingston to Ball, the NBA has been filled with stories of players overcoming tremendous physical and personal adversity to return to the court.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Behind the camera is an Indian migrant who is seeking to overcome the distance between himself and a country full of contradictions and anxieties.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overcome
Dictionary Entries Near overcome
Cite this Entry
“Overcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcome. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overcome
verb
over·come
ˌō-vər-ˈkəm
overcame
-ˈkām
; overcome; overcoming
; overcome; overcoming
1
: to gain an advantage or victory over
overcome an enemy
2
: to make helpless or exhausted
was overcome by gas
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