overcome

/ˌoʊvərˈkʌm/

Say it: oh-ver-KUM

1. verb To succeed in dealing with or gaining control of a problem, difficulty, or obstacle.
With determination, she was able to overcome her fear of flying.
2. verb To be made weak or helpless by a powerful feeling or physical state.
He was suddenly overcome with a wave of dizziness and had to sit down.
3. verb To defeat an opponent in a conflict, competition, or argument.
The smaller army managed to overcome the invaders through superior strategy.

📖 Seen in the wild

She worked hard to overcome her fear of public speaking.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ overcome in a sentence

The community is working together to overcome the effects of the recent flooding.
We need a new strategy to overcome these supply chain issues.
It took me a while, but I finally overcame my habit of procrastinating.
Reading the old letters, she was overcome by a profound sense of nostalgia.
The team overcame a 10-point deficit in the final quarter to win the championship.
Many startups fail because they cannot overcome the initial financial hurdles.
He has overcome incredible adversity to get where he is today.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

conquer surmount vanquish subdue prevail master triumph over get the better of

conquer · implies a more forceful and complete victory over a significant obstacle or enemy.

surmount · often used for abstract barriers, suggesting rising above them rather than fighting through them.

vanquish · a more literary or dramatic term for defeating an opponent or force completely.

subdue · suggests bringing something under control, especially a feeling, impulse, or rebellious group.

Opposites: succumb, yield, surrender, fail, capitulate

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'overcome' comes to us directly from Old English 'ofercuman', a compound of 'ofer' (over) and 'cuman' (to come). Its original meaning, 'to come upon or get the better of', has remained remarkably stable for over a thousand years, capturing the idea of getting on top of a problem, an enemy, or a feeling that 'comes over' you.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

overcome adversityovercome an obstacleovercome a fearovercome with emotiondifficult to overcomeovercome a challenge

'Overcome' has two main meanings that are almost opposites. You can actively 'overcome an obstacle', meaning you defeat it. Or, you can be passively 'overcome by a feeling', meaning it defeats you. This second sense, which uses the past participle, is very common, as in 'overcome with joy' or 'overcome by fumes'. The word is an irregular verb: the past tense is 'overcame', but the past participle is 'overcome'.

Word family: overcame, overcoming

💬 Quick answers

What does 'overcome' mean?

It primarily means to successfully deal with a problem or difficulty. It can also mean to be made helpless by a strong feeling, such as being 'overcome with grief'.

What is the difference between 'overcome' and 'conquer'?

'Overcome' suggests successfully managing a challenge, while 'conquer' implies a more total and forceful defeat of an opponent or obstacle. Conquering is often more final and absolute.

What are the past tense and past participle of 'overcome'?

The simple past tense is 'overcame' (e.g., 'Yesterday, he overcame an obstacle'). The past participle is 'overcome' (e.g., 'He has overcome many obstacles').

Is 'overcome' a formal word?

'Overcome' is a neutral word that is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. It is used in everything from academic writing to everyday conversation.

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