easy
She overcame her fear of speaking in class.
What does Overcome mean?
Overcome means to beat a problem or challenge.
Dictionary definition
To succeed against a problem, fear, or challenge.
Example sentences
Overcome in a sentence
medium
They overcame early mistakes and won the match.
hard
The novel follows a hero who overcomes setbacks through patience and teamwork.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice overcome in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Overcome
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does overcome mean?
The correct sentence uses overcome in context.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to overcome?
Conquer is close in meaning to overcome.
Practice 3
Which sentence uses overcome correctly?
The correct sentence uses overcome in context.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Overcome
Voice settings
Sounds like
oh · ver · kuhm · strongest beat: kuhm
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordOvercome.
Partverb.
MeaningOvercome means to beat a problem or challenge.
ExampleExample: She overcame her fear of speaking in class.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- oh · ver · kuhm
- Strongest beat
- kuhm
- Ending
- kuhm
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on kuhm.
Your turn
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Nice work—you practiced overcome.
Synonyms
Words like Overcome
conquerUse for defeating a difficult challenge.
surmountUse for getting past an obstacle.
Antonyms
Opposite words
yieldUse when someone gives in to difficulty.
surrenderUse when someone stops resisting a challenge.
Synonym practice
Want to practice overcome synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The team worked to overcome the hard puzzle," then compare close word choices. Practice overcome synonyms.
Word family
Overcome word family
Base word
overcome
verb
overcomes
Succeeds against a challenge now or often.
verb
overcame
Succeeded against a challenge in the past.
verb
overcoming
Succeeding against a challenge.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Overcome
Hint for students
Overcome means to beat a problem or challenge.
Common mix-up
Overcome is not the same as yield. Overcome means overcome means to beat a problem or challenge.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: They overcame early mistakes and won the match. Clue words: overcame, early, mistakes. Underline clue words that show why overcome fits instead of yield. Now write one new sentence that shows overcome without using the word overcome. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show overcome?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "They overcame early mistakes and won the match." Why does overcome fit better than yield?
Learning activities
Practice Overcome and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice OVERCOME” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice OVERCOME
Sentence Builder
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Spell Hive
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Vocabulary Match
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Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
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Use context clues
Practice OVERCOME
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes OVERCOME.
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Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
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