surmount
verb /səˈmaʊnt/
/sərˈmaʊnt/
(formal)Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they surmount | /səˈmaʊnt/ /sərˈmaʊnt/ |
| he / she / it surmounts | /səˈmaʊnts/ /sərˈmaʊnts/ |
| past simple surmounted | /səˈmaʊntɪd/ /sərˈmaʊntɪd/ |
| past participle surmounted | /səˈmaʊntɪd/ /sərˈmaʊntɪd/ |
| -ing form surmounting | /səˈmaʊntɪŋ/ /sərˈmaʊntɪŋ/ |
- surmount something to deal successfully with a difficulty synonym overcome
- She was well aware of the difficulties that had to be surmounted.
- The organizers of the concerts have first to surmount the hurdle of gaining sponsorship.
- There are several obstacles to be surmounted.
- [usually passive] surmount something to be placed on top of something
- a high column surmounted by a statue
Word Originlate Middle English (also in the sense ‘surpass, be superior to’): from Old French surmonter (from sur- and the verb mount).