overcome 1 of 2

overcome

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb overcome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overcome are conquer, defeat, overthrow, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When could conquer be used to replace overcome?

While the synonyms conquer and overcome are close in meaning, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

How are the words defeat and vanquish related as synonyms of overcome?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

When might overthrow be a better fit than overcome?

Although the words overthrow and overcome have much in common, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When is it sensible to use reduce instead of overcome?

While in some cases nearly identical to overcome, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

When can subdue be used instead of overcome?

The synonyms subdue and overcome are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When would vanquish be a good substitute for overcome?

The words vanquish and overcome can be used in similar contexts, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overcome
Verb
In the new two-part Apple TV+ documentary Number One on the Call Sheet, Washington, 70, recalls one memorable moment when he was overcome with emotion in the darkness of a movie theater. Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025 Hunt, who agreed to re-sign a one-year deal with the Chiefs on March 14, became the team’s leading rusher last season while overcoming difficult circumstances. Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025 Professionals can take control of their careers by overcoming these challenges and embracing an entrepreneurial mindset. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 The plethora of pixels can’t overcome a noise-prone sensor, though, and its picture tends to be soft. PCMAG, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overcome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcome
Verb
  • Out of Spokane Regional 1, No. 1 overall seed UCLA advances to their first Final Four in program history in the modern era after defeating No. 3 LSU, 72-65.
    Allison Smith, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Orange County officials pitched a sales tax increase to voters that was soundly defeated in 2022.
    Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Flashback: Hospitals in NWA, like much of the country, were overwhelmed by the number of COVID-19 patients and struggled with staffing.
    Alex Golden, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
  • This data stored across multiple cloud environments, on-premises systems and SaaS applications has overwhelmed traditional classification methods.
    Asaf Kochan, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Fruit flies and uncovered food were also found at El Merendero, according to the report.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2025
  • However, someone trying to sign up for either program would likely have to wait and remain uncovered.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This year, he was tasked with conquering the opponent’s best hitters in Game 1, and that doesn’t figure to change.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Channel this passion into some focused new moon intentions on April 27, but don’t let yourself be driven by a sheer need to conquer.
    Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The floods have devastated local economies and communities.
    Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
  • In 2014, three West African countries were devastated by an Ebola outbreak that claimed more than 11,000 lives.
    Seth Berkley, Time, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Fellow White Lotus star Leslie Bibb also mastered a celestial cheek highlight, and wig artist Maahleek crafted a stunning Shego-esque hairdo.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
  • In an increasingly remote and hybrid world, collaboration and new communication styles are increasingly important in order to work with co-workers and clients—those are things that generative AI and agentic tools are not able to master (yet).
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Things like passive solar (using our southern exposure windows and glass doors for heat gain in the winter), and having overhangs on the southern, east and west elevations that shade the heat gain in the summer.
    Rob Lewallen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
  • One of the potential innovations would be the installation of passive Z-gates.
    Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • McKell said the new law targets life coaches who had lost their therapist licenses because the state deemed them unsafe to work with patients.
    Jessica Schreifels, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025
  • The building has been unsafe to occupy due to asbestos and other issues for all but a few weeks since.
    Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcome. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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