Surmount
/sərˈmaʊnt/
verbB2
Definition
Surmount means to get over or defeat a difficulty or problem. When you surmount something, you do not let it stop you; instead, you find a way to succeed despite the challenge. It can also mean to climb over a physical object like a wall or mountain.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
To overcome a difficulty or problem
- •She surmounted many challenges to finish her education.
- •The team surmounted all obstacles to win the championship.
- •They surmounted their fears and spoke in public confidently.
To climb over something physical like a wall or hill
- •The hikers surmounted the steep hill after a long walk.
- •He surmounted the fence to get into the garden.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'surmount' like 'get over' (A2 phrase), but more formal and strong—like winning against a big problem
- ✓Picture a person climbing a tall mountain and reaching the top after a hard climb
- ✓It's the feeling you have when you solve a difficult puzzle or finish a hard task
- ✓Sounds like 'sir-MOUNT' → imagine a knight (sir) climbing up a mountain to win a challenge
- ✓Imagine stories where heroes face big problems and finally overcome them by effort and courage
- ✓NOT like 'avoid' (to stay away from problems), 'surmount' means facing and beating them
- ✓NOT like 'fail' or 'give up'; surmount means success after struggle
- ✓NOT like 'jump' (quick movement), surmount often means a careful, strong effort to get over something
Try Other Words
- •Overcome: to succeed in dealing with a problem (Use in everyday situations about winning against difficulties)
- •Conquer: to defeat or take control (Use when the problem is very big or like a battle)
- •Climb over: to physically go over something (Use when talking about physical obstacles like walls or mountains)
- •Get past: to move beyond a problem (Use in informal speech about difficulties)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'sur-' (over, above) + 'mount' (to climb)
- •Etymology: From Old French 'surmonter,' from Latin 'superare' (to overcome) and 'montare' (to mount, climb)
- •Historical development: Used since Middle English to mean climbing over or overcoming difficulties
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in formal writing or speech about overcoming problems or physical obstacles
- •Key insight: The word combines the idea of going above or over something difficult
Reflect & Connect
•What kinds of challenges in your life have you had to surmount, and how did you do it?
•How can thinking about surmounting problems help you feel stronger when facing difficulties?
Fill in the blanks
1.She was able to surmount the ___ of learning a new language by practicing every day.
2.To surmount a fear, you often need to ___ it directly, not avoid it.
3.The soldiers surmounted the ___ to reach the enemy camp.
4.Surmounting difficulties often requires ___ and patience.
5.Unlike avoiding problems, to surmount them means you ___ them head-on.
6.When you surmount a challenge, you usually feel ___ and proud.
7.The team worked hard to surmount ___ that appeared during the project.