overcome
word
/ˈoʊvɝˌkəm/
OH-vur-kuhm
/ˌəʊvəkˈʌm/
oh-vuh-KUHM
Definition
To successfully deal with a problem, difficulty, fear, or bad feeling. It can also mean defeating someone or something in a struggle or contest.
Usage & Nuances
Most often used with challenges: 'overcome fear', 'overcome obstacles', 'overcome difficulties'. It sounds slightly more formal and stronger than 'deal with'. It can also appear in passive-like uses such as 'She was overcome with emotion', where it means a feeling became too strong.
Spanish: superar - vencerPortuguese (BR): superar - vencerPortuguese (PT): superar - vencerChinese (Simplified): 克服 - 战胜Chinese (Traditional): 克服 - 戰勝Hindi: काबू पाना - पार पानाArabic: يتغلب على - يتجاوزBengali: পরাজিত করা - কাটিয়ে ওঠা - অতিক্রম করাRussian: преодолеть - победитьJapanese: 克服する - 乗り越えるVietnamese: vượt qua - khắc phụcKorean: 극복하다 - 이겨내다Turkish: üstesinden gelmek - yenmekUrdu: قابو پانا - شکست دیناIndonesian: mengatasi - menaklukkan
Example Sentences
The team overcame a strong opponent.
basic
It took me years to overcome my self-doubt.
natural
She was overcome with emotion when she saw her son again.
natural
He overcame his fear of dogs.
basic
We can overcome this problem together.
basic
Sometimes the hardest part is believing you can overcome it at all.
natural