surmount
verb
sur·mount
sər-ˈmau̇nt 
surmounted; surmounting; surmounts
1
: to prevail over : overcome
surmount an obstacle
2
: to get to the top of : climb
3
: to stand or lie at the top of
4
obsolete
: to surpass in quality or attainment : excel
Did you know?
Our verb mount, meaning "ascend, get up onto", comes from the same Latin root as mountain, and we keep those images in mind when using surmount, since climbing up or over a mountain is a symbol of achievement. The word almost always refers to human effort, and almost always in a positive way; thus, we speak of surmounting difficulties, surmounting problems, surmounting hurdles, surmounting handicaps—you get the idea.
Examples of surmount in a Sentence
an Olympic swimmer who surmounted endless obstacles to achieve her goals
Recent Examples on the Web
By embracing innovative digital solutions, independent practices can surmount longstanding barriers, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future.
—
Tony Bradley, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The tower will be 80 feet high, surmounted by a wooden tank with a capacity of 67,000 gallons.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Postal workers are renowned for surmounting odds, but one in North Carolina apparently drew the line at reaching past a snake to deliver the mail.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025
Without that essential training to help surmount powerful systemic barriers, the kit would have been useless—and in that sense, the job is still woefully unfinished.
—Sheila McClear, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surmount
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Tony Bradley, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
The tower will be 80 feet high, surmounted by a wooden tank with a capacity of 67,000 gallons.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Postal workers are renowned for surmounting odds, but one in North Carolina apparently drew the line at reaching past a snake to deliver the mail.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2025
Without that essential training to help surmount powerful systemic barriers, the kit would have been useless—and in that sense, the job is still woefully unfinished.
—Sheila McClear, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surmount
Cite this Entry
“Surmount.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surmount. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
surmount
verb
sur·mount
sər-ˈmau̇nt
1
: overcome sense 1
surmount an obstacle
2
: to get to the top of : climb
3
: to stand or lie at the top of : crown
a weather vane surmounts the roof
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