To overcome something is to successfully deal with and defeat a problem, fear, or difficulty.
From Old English *ofercuman* meaning “to come over, conquer, prevail,” from *ofer* (over) and *cuman* (come). It has long carried the sense of winning against obstacles.
To overcome is literally to ‘come over’ a problem, like climbing over a wall that once blocked you. The feeling of being overcome with emotion is the flip side—the wave wins and comes over you.
Narratives of ‘overcoming’ adversity have sometimes been applied selectively, praising women who succeed despite structural sexism while ignoring the barriers themselves. This can individualize systemic problems.
Use ‘overcome’ while also naming structural factors (e.g., discrimination, bias) rather than framing barriers as purely personal challenges.
["address","work through","navigate","mitigate"]
Highlight how women have collectively organized to overcome institutional barriers, not just as isolated ‘exceptional’ individuals.
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