verb
overcome
oh-vuh-KUHM
verb
1
To successfully deal with or defeat a difficulty or obstacle.
"She overcame her fear of flying after years of therapy."
"The team overcame a ten-point deficit to win the game."
adj
1
Emotionally overwhelmed, especially by strong feeling.
"He was overcome with joy when he saw his daughter graduate."
How to Use Overcome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo beat a problem, or to be overwhelmed by a strong emotion.
Common mistake
As an adjective ("overcome with grief"), it describes being emotionally flooded, not defeated.
Common pairings
overcome an obstacle
overcome with emotion
overcome adversity
Word Forms
overcame past tense, overcome past tense, overcomes plural, overcomes singular
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He was _____ with joy when he saw his daughter graduate.
Etymology
From Old English ofercuman, "to overcome, conquer," from over- + come.