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
Making the playoffs and maybe even surprising in them would be Miami’s greatest statement of resolve and flex of Heat Culture — to have overcome the capital-D distraction and drama that might have detonated this season.
—
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
The Chiefs couldn’t overcome losses to tight end Travis Kelce, who left the game at the end of the second quarter with a concussion, and defensive lineman Chris Jones, who left the game on the first drive of the third quarter with a knee injury.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025
When this stress overcomes the strength of the rock to create a fault, or the friction along existing fault planes, the ground slips—releasing waves of energy.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Afp | Getty Images Germany, Europe’s largest economy, abruptly removed EV subsidies in late 2023 in the wake of an agreement to overcome a budget crisis.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overcome 
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Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
The Chiefs couldn’t overcome losses to tight end Travis Kelce, who left the game at the end of the second quarter with a concussion, and defensive lineman Chris Jones, who left the game on the first drive of the third quarter with a knee injury.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2025
When this stress overcomes the strength of the rock to create a fault, or the friction along existing fault planes, the ground slips—releasing waves of energy.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
Afp | Getty Images Germany, Europe’s largest economy, abruptly removed EV subsidies in late 2023 in the wake of an agreement to overcome a budget crisis.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 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 2 Feb. 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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