OVERCOME Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'overcome' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overcome are conquer , defeat , overthrow , reduce , subdue , and vanquish . While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle. // overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

Q: When could 'conquer' be used to replace 'overcome'?

While the synonyms conquer and overcome are close in meaning, conquer implies gaining mastery of. // Caesar conquered Gaul

Q: How are the words 'defeat' and 'vanquish' related as synonyms of 'overcome'?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals. // the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

Q: When might 'overthrow' be a better fit than 'overcome'?

Although the words overthrow and overcome have much in common, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power. // violently overthrew the old regime

Q: When is it sensible to use 'reduce' instead of 'overcome'?

While in some cases nearly identical to overcome , reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender. // the city was reduced after a month-long siege

Q: When can 'subdue' be used instead of 'overcome'?

The synonyms subdue and overcome are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression. // subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

Q: When would 'vanquish' be a good substitute for 'overcome'?

The words vanquish and overcome can be used in similar contexts, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering. // vanquished the enemy and ended the war

overcome 1 of 2

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈkəm

Definition of overcome

as in to defeat

to achieve a victory over the baseball team finally overcame their opponents in the 13th inning

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to overwhelm

to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress already under stress, she was overcome by news of a death in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

overcome

2 of 2

adjective

as in uncovered

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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How does the verb overcome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of overcome are conquer, defeat, overthrow, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When could conquer be used to replace overcome?

While the synonyms conquer and overcome are close in meaning, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

How are the words defeat and vanquish related as synonyms of overcome?

Defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

When might overthrow be a better fit than overcome?

Although the words overthrow and overcome have much in common, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When is it sensible to use reduce instead of overcome?

While in some cases nearly identical to overcome, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

When can subdue be used instead of overcome?

The synonyms subdue and overcome are sometimes interchangeable, but subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When would vanquish be a good substitute for overcome?

The words vanquish and overcome can be used in similar contexts, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overcome

Verb

But if the Dodgers don't somehow surge back from 0-3 and become just the second team in MLB history to overcome such a deficit in an LCS series, the Godfather analogy could hold up remarkably well. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The defense has overcome injuries while keeping opponents out of the end zone and is getting three key players back this week in cornerbacks Xavier Lucas and Damari Brown plus linebacker Ezekiel Marcelin. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Sheffield is sticking to her campaign promise of helping Detroit's most vulnerable overcome homelessness. — Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 29 July 2026 With themes of resilience, victory, and joy as a healing balm, Joy in the Belly of a Riot is a beautiful manifestation of how poetry has the power to heal and help one overcome pain. — Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overcome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcome

Verb

Jackson was suspended for striking Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb in the face after the Bills defeated the Rams, 37-34, in overtime on Monday night.

— Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Voters, though, decisively defeated a repeal measure in 1942.

— Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

Resilient people experience life’s typical ups and downs, but their senses don’t overwhelm them.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Swain settled in this preseason, showing an improved progression in his decision making when he was not overwhelmed by on-ball duties.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of overwhelm

Adjective

In 2023, a federal audit flagged serious pesticide incidents in half a dozen counties and uncovered patchwork oversight by agricultural commissioners.

— Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Moore added a pair of long passing touchdowns, one to an uncovered Dakorien Moore on a busted coverage, and another down the sideline to Stewart to complete a 28-point first quarter.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncovered

Verb

Before conquering Hollywood, Ali played Division I basketball (standing at six feet four) and released rap albums under the name Prince Ali.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
The announcement comes after a summer in which AI models have repeatedly conquered many of math’s longstanding open challenges, including one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems.

— Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of conquer

Verb

Non-consensually posted intimate images can devastate women – and beget male bonding.

— Brittany Luse, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026
That pad, now dubbed LC-36A, was devastated by a massive explosion during a test back in May, but construction crews have worked 24/7 to try and build it back to launch capability before the end of the year.

— Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of devastate

Adjective

The tabletop version packs two full-range drivers into the display housing, paired with a down-firing woofer and two force-cancelling passive radiators in its domed base.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
The goal is not passive expansion but enduring cultural effect through authentic relationships.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of passive

Verb

Ward went on to join Ohio’s BalletMet and North Carolina Dance Theatre, mastering classical and neoclassical styles until his heart demanded a move beyond those orthodoxies.

— Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Complicating things is the current Administration, which has mastered the art of using those message-delivery systems to spread doubt and discontent and suspicion.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of master

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“Overcome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcome. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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