1
as in defeating
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
2
as in overwhelming
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overcoming
Finally, in overcoming this vexing moment, the two would establish a painterly repartee that altered the trajectory of their own work and, by extension, modern art.
—
Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
But overcoming perceptions that lithium-ion battery technology is inherently dangerous has proven challenging, and developers sometimes fuel mistrust by dismissing residents’ concerns about fire, toxic threats and the industrialization of natural landscapes.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
The plot still cries out for a flow chart, but the powerhouse fusion of Michele, Tveit and Christopher, overcoming all obstacles, has made this production one of the seismic events of the Broadway season.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Mascaro is in full control as is his main star for a triumph about overcoming the odds and fighting back against a culture that wants to throw the elderly overboard.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
At just days old, his body is fighting on multiple fronts — recovering from the physical trauma of the tornado, overcoming dehydration and the effects of inappropriate early feeding.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
The Wolves wiped out Denver’s 19-point advantage in Game 2 in mere minutes, as was the case with Denver overcoming Minnesota’s 12-point first-half lead in Game 1.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
The Halos stormed through the playoffs to this franchise's only championship, overcoming a 3-2 series deficit to Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
According to Hao, the Shanghai manufacturing base could become a critical enabler in overcoming this challenge.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
Susan Tallman, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
But overcoming perceptions that lithium-ion battery technology is inherently dangerous has proven challenging, and developers sometimes fuel mistrust by dismissing residents’ concerns about fire, toxic threats and the industrialization of natural landscapes.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
The plot still cries out for a flow chart, but the powerhouse fusion of Michele, Tveit and Christopher, overcoming all obstacles, has made this production one of the seismic events of the Broadway season.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Mascaro is in full control as is his main star for a triumph about overcoming the odds and fighting back against a culture that wants to throw the elderly overboard.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
At just days old, his body is fighting on multiple fronts — recovering from the physical trauma of the tornado, overcoming dehydration and the effects of inappropriate early feeding.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026
The Wolves wiped out Denver’s 19-point advantage in Game 2 in mere minutes, as was the case with Denver overcoming Minnesota’s 12-point first-half lead in Game 1.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026
The Halos stormed through the playoffs to this franchise's only championship, overcoming a 3-2 series deficit to Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
According to Hao, the Shanghai manufacturing base could become a critical enabler in overcoming this challenge.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overcoming
Verb
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In large part because the only feeling more satisfying than defeating your enemies is that of defeating your friends.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
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When the Lakers last came to Houston, defeating the Rockets twice in three days, Rockets coach Ime Udoka appeared to tell Redick to put Bronny James in the game.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dedicating one corner of the patio to a dense cluster of plants creates a lush focal point without overwhelming the rest of the space.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
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Critics are also worried about the building height overwhelming the area.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Across industries — creative, legal, financial, technical — the systems people like myself spent careers mastering are being rewritten.—
Matti Yahav,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Regardless of their final career path, every intern's first assignment is learning to be a docent, mastering the art of guiding visitors on a tour.—
La'Tasha Givens,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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House Republicans approved the resolution last month despite conservationists’ warnings that the move would lead to devastating pollution in one of the country’s last remaining wild areas.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
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Two tornadoes ripped through west Michigan on April 14, devastating a family dairy farm in Fenick, releasing hundreds of cows and leaving thousands without power.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Built by Blueprint Construction with structural engineering by Design Point, the East River Residence demonstrates that conquering challenging terrain sometimes means floating above it.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2026
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One after another, the avatars of Democratic success in Georgia took the stage Saturday and were greeted like conquering heroes by hundreds of party faithful at the annual Carter-Lewis gala.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The goal, Hall’s second of the series, came with less than five minutes left in a wild and physical frame in which Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven knocked out Carolina defenseman Alexander Nikishin with a crushing hit and Ottawa forward Ridly Greig tried to run roughshod on the Canes.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Store them in one layer to avoid crushing, and keep them in cool, dry conditions in the fridge to hinder mold growth.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Congratulations to 16-year-old Mathis Albert, who came on as a late substitute for Dortmund and became the youngest American to play in the Bundesliga, beating Gio Reyna’s record.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Aside from beating the stuffing out of a life-sized penguin plushie, Gritty has mocked — and stalked — the team's fans.—
Kaitlyn McCormick,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Harry and Meghan stepped back from their senior royal roles in 2020 due to media intrusion and racist coverage, eventually taking residence in Canada and, later, California, with their two children – Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Brown said Atlanta was taking away the Knicks’ spray game, which made the answer simpler.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overcoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overcoming. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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