surmount

/sə:'maunt/

Thân thiện

She surmounts the final obstacle in the race.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To overcome (a difficulty or obstacle); to prevail over: To successfully deal with and master a challenging situation, problem, or barrier.
   • To stand or be placed on top of; to crown: To be situated at the highest point of something, often serving as its cap or pinnacle.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Overcome):
  • She managed to surmount all the obstacles in her path to success.
  • The team worked together to surmount the technical challenges of the project.
• Verb (Be on top of):
  • A magnificent statue surmounts the column in the town square.
  • The ancient castle is surmounted by a tall, pointed tower.

Advanced Usage

• "To surmount oneself": This is a less common, reflexive usage implying overcoming one's own limitations or personal challenges.
  • In his final years, the artist sought to surmount himself, creating works of unprecedented boldness.
• Passive Construction: Often used in the passive voice, especially for the "be on top of" meaning.
  • The hill is surmounted by a lone oak tree.

Variants and Related Words

• Surmountable (adj): Capable of being overcome.
  • The problems were difficult but ultimately surmountable.
• Insurmountable (adj): Incapable of being overcome.
  • The financial barrier seemed insurmountable at the time.

Synonyms

• Overcome: To defeat or prevail over (a problem or opponent).
• Conquer: To gain control over through effort; to overcome.
• Master: To gain complete knowledge of or skill in; to overcome.
• Top: To be higher than; to surpass (in the sense of being on top).

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• To surmount the odds: To succeed despite very low probability or significant disadvantages.
  • Against all expectations, the small company surmounted the odds and became an industry leader.

Học thuật

Verb

1. be or do something to a greater degree
   • her performance surpasses that of any other student I know
   • She outdoes all other athletes
   • This exceeds all my expectations
   • This car outperforms all others in its class
2. reach the highest point of
   • We scaled the Mont Blanc
3. be on top of
   • The scarf surmounted the gown
4. get on top of; deal with successfully
   • He overcame his shyness

Từ đồng nghĩa

• surpass
• outstrip
• outmatch
• outgo
• exceed
• outdo
• outperform
• scale
• overcome
• get over
• subdue
• master