Overcome — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /ˌō-vər-ˈkəm/ over·come

Meaning & Definition of Overcome

Overcome (verb)

  1. to get the better of, surmount
  2. overwhelm
  3. to gain the superiority, win

Overcome (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to achieve a victory over

    "the baseball team finally overcame their opponents in the 13th inning"

    similar: beat, best, conquer, defeat, dispatch, do down (British), get, get around, lick, master, overbear, overmatch, prevail (over), skunk, stop, subdue, surmount, take, trim, triumph (over), upend, win (against), worst, get the better of, knock for a loop
    related: sweep, edge (out), nose out, pip (British), annihilate, blow away, blow out, bomb, break, bury, clobber, cream, crush, drub, finish, flatten, overwhelm, rout, shellac, skin, slaughter, smoke (slang), snow under, thrash, trounce, upset, wallop, wax (slang), whip, cap, excel, flourish, score, succeed, knock off, knock over, overpower, overthrow, subjugate, unseat, vanquish, ace (out), better, eclipse, exceed, outdistance, outdo, outfight, outshine, outstrip, overtop, surpass, top, transcend
    opposite: lose (to)
    near: fall, give up, go down, go under, collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, wash out

  2. to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress

    "already under stress, she was overcome by news of a death in the family"

    similar: crush, devastate, floor, grind (down), oppress, overmaster, overpower, overwhelm, prostrate, snow under, swamp, whelm
    related: deluge, drown, sink, confute, defeat, refute, break, demoralize, distress, disturb, rock, shatter, stagger, throw, unman, unnerve, upset

Overcome (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in preyed (on or upon)

    similar: preyed (on or upon), uncovered, unsafe, disarmed, passive, resistless, unarmed, indefensible, untenable, feeble, frail, weak, defenseless, exposed, helpless, susceptible, undefended, unguarded, unprotected, unresistant, vulnerable, abandoned, high and dry, marooned
    opposite: guarded, invulnerable, protected, resistant, shielded, defensible, covered, fortified, safe, screened, secure, sheltered, armed, armored, immune, impenetrable, impregnable, invincible, strong, unassailable, unbeatable, unconquerable, almighty, omnipotent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Overcome

The most common words with a similar meaning to Overcome:

British: do down
beat, best, conquer, defeat, dispatch, get, get around, lick, master, overbear, overmatch, prevail (over), skunk, stop, subdue, surmount, take, trim, triumph (over), upend, win (against), worst, crush, devastate, floor, grind (down), oppress, overmaster, overpower, overwhelm, prostrate, snow under, swamp, whelm, get the better of, knock for a loop, preyed (on or upon), uncovered, unsafe, disarmed

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Overcome

Words with the opposite meaning of Overcome:

lose (to), guarded, invulnerable, protected, resistant, shielded, defensible, covered, fortified, safe, screened, secure, sheltered, armed, armored, immune, impenetrable, impregnable, invincible, strong, unassailable, unbeatable, unconquerable, almighty, omnipotent

Related Words for Overcome

sweep, edge (out), nose out, pip, annihilate, blow away, blow out, bomb, break, bury, clobber, cream, drub, finish, flatten, rout, shellac, skin, slaughter, smoke, thrash, trounce, upset, wallop, wax, whip, cap, excel, flourish, score

Near Antonyms of Overcome

fall, give up, go down, go under, collapse, fail, flop, flunk, fold, wash out

Word Forms of Overcome

Inflections: overcame, overcoming

Origin & Etymology of Overcome

Middle English, from Old English ofercuman, from ofer over + cuman to come

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Overcome

Frequently Asked Questions about Overcome

What does "Overcome" mean?

"Overcome" means to get the better of, surmount. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to get the better of, surmount. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Overcome"?

Other words for "Overcome" include beat, best, conquer, defeat, dispatch, do down, get and get around. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Overcome" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Overcome"?

There are 125 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Overcome". Common alternatives include beat, best, conquer, defeat, dispatch, do down, get, get around, lick and master.

What is the opposite of "Overcome"?

Antonyms of "Overcome" include lose (to), guarded, invulnerable, protected, resistant, shielded, defensible and covered. Near antonyms include fall, give up, go down and go under.

How do you use "Overcome" in a sentence?

Examples of "Overcome" in a sentence: "the baseball team finally overcame their opponents in the 13th inning"; "already under stress, she was overcome by news of a death in the family".

Is "Overcome" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Overcome" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Overcome" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Overcome" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Overcome"?

"Overcome" is pronounced /ˌō-vər-ˈkəm/ and divided into syllables as over·come.