First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
overcome
verb over·come \ˌō-vər-ˈkəm\
: to defeat (someone or something)
: to successfully deal with or gain control of (something difficult)
: to affect (someone) very strongly or severely
over·came\-ˈkām\over·comeover·com·ing
Full Definition of OVERCOME
transitive verb
1
: to get the better of : surmount <overcome difficulties>
2
intransitive verb
: to gain the superiority : win
— over·com·er noun
See overcome defined for English-language learners
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Origin of OVERCOME
Middle English, from Old English ofercuman, from ofer over + cuman to come
Related to OVERCOME
Synonym Discussion of OVERCOME
conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining mastery of <Caesar conquered Gaul>. vanquish implies a complete overpowering <vanquished the enemy and ended the war>. defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals <the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas>. subdue implies a defeating and suppression <subdued the native tribes after years of fighting>. reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender <the city was reduced after a month-long siege>. overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle <overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks>. overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power <violently overthrew the old regime>.
Rhymes with OVERCOME
OVERCAME Defined for Kids
overcome
verb over·come \ˌō-vər-ˈkəm\
over·came \-ˈkām\overcomeover·com·ing
Definition of OVERCOME for Kids
1
: to win a victory over : conquer <Soldiers overcame the enemy.>
2
: to gain control of through great effort <He overcame his fear of heights.>
3
: to cause to lose physical ability or emotional control <Firefighters were overcome by smoke.> <The family was overcome by grief.>
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