overcome
UK: ˌəʊvəˈkʌm | US: ˌoʊvərˈkʌm
vt. to succeed in dealing with or controlling a problem or difficulty
vt. to defeat or overpower someone or something
vi. (archaic) to come over or spread through (e.g., emotion)
The word "overcome" originates from Old English ofercuman, combining ofer (over) and cuman (come). It originally meant "to reach or surpass by moving forward," later evolving to signify "to conquer" or "to prevail over obstacles." The logic reflects a physical or metaphorical movement (come) overcoming a barrier (over), aligning with its modern meanings of triumphing over challenges or adversaries.
She worked hard to overcome her fear of public speaking.
The team overcame a 10-point deficit to win the game.
His kindness helped him overcome cultural barriers.
They overcame numerous obstacles to build their business.
A sudden sadness overcame her as she remembered the past.