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
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 Austin district relied heavily on contractors to overcome its chronic backlog of evaluation requests.
—
Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Thunderbolts showed us the true power of the group hug to overcome . . .
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2025
Wheeler battled to strike out eight over 5 2/3 innings, but the Phillies never overcame the deficit, losing 4-3 to the New York Yankees, who avoided a series sweep.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overcome
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Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Thunderbolts showed us the true power of the group hug to overcome . . .
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2025
Wheeler battled to strike out eight over 5 2/3 innings, but the Phillies never overcame the deficit, losing 4-3 to the New York Yankees, who avoided a series sweep.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overcome
Cite this Entry
“Overcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcome. Accessed 4 Aug. 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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