(overcomes, overcoming, overcame)
<i>Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.i>
<i>Note: The form 'overcome' is used in the present tense and is also the past participle.i>
1.
If you overcome a problem or a feeling, you successfully deal with it and control it.
Molly had fought and overcome her fear of flying...
<i><i>VERBi>: <i>Vi> <i>ni>i>
2.
If you are overcome by a feeling or event, it is so strong or has such a strong effect that you cannot think clearly.
The night before the test I was overcome by fear and despair...
A dizziness overcame him, blurring his vision.
= overwhelm
<i><i>VERBi>: i>be<i> <i>V-edi>, <i>Vi> <i>ni>i>
3.
If you are overcome by smoke or a poisonous gas, you become very ill or die from breathing it in.
The residents were trying to escape from the fire but were overcome by smoke.
<i><i>VERBi>: <i>usui> <i>passivei>, i>be<i> <i>V-edi>i>