Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something difficult, such as a problem, obstacle, or opponent.
   • To be strongly affected by a feeling or emotion to the point of being overwhelmed.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To gain the superiority; to be victorious.

Usage

• As a transitive verb, "overcome" typically takes a direct object (e.g., overcome a fear, overcome an enemy).
• It is often used in contexts of personal struggle, competition, or emotional experience.
• The past tense is "overcame," and the past participle is "overcome."

Examples

• Transitive Verb:

  • She worked hard to overcome her fear of public speaking.
  • The team managed to overcome a three-goal deficit to win the match.
  • He was overcome with grief when he heard the news. (Here, "overcome" is a past participle used in a passive construction.)

• Intransitive Verb (less common):

  • In the end, good shall overcome. (This usage is formal or literary.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be overcome by/with": To be so strongly affected by a feeling (e.g., emotion, fatigue, fumes) that one cannot function normally.

  • The rescuers were nearly overcome by smoke.
  • She was overcome with joy at the surprise.

• "to overcome oneself": To master one's own impulses or weaknesses.

  • It was a struggle to overcome himself and apologize.

Variants and Related Words

• Overcomer (noun): A person who overcomes difficulties.
  • She is a true overcomer, having battled illness to achieve her goals.

Synonyms

• Conquer: To take control of by force, or to successfully overcome a problem or weakness.
• Surmount: To overcome a difficulty or obstacle.
• Defeat: To win a victory over someone in a battle or competition.
• Master: To gain complete knowledge or skill in a subject, or to bring under control.

Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Overcome" itself does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The concept is usually expressed by the verb alone or with prepositions like "by" or "with" as shown in "Advanced Usage.")

Related Idioms

• "Overcome the odds": To succeed despite very low probability or significant disadvantages.
  • The small startup overcame the odds to become a market leader.
• "To be overcome": To be rendered helpless or incapacitated, especially by an emotion or external force.
  • He was overcome and could not continue his speech.

Verb

1. overcome, usually through no fault or weakness of the person that is overcome
   • Heart disease can get the best of us
2. overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
3. get on top of; deal with successfully
   • He overcame his shyness
4. win a victory over
   • You must overcome all difficulties
   • defeat your enemies
   • He overcame his shyness
   • He overcame his infirmity
   • Her anger got the better of her and she blew up