surmount

[ ser-mount ]
/ sərˈmaʊnt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR surmount ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to mount upon; get on the top of; mount upon and cross over: to surmount a hill.
to get over or across (barriers, obstacles, etc.).
to prevail over: to surmount tremendous difficulties.
to be on top of or above: a statue surmounting a pillar.
to furnish with something placed on top or above: to surmount a tower with a spire.
Obsolete.
  1. to surpass in excellence.
  2. to exceed in amount.

Origin of surmount

1325–75; Middle English surmounten < Anglo-French surmounter, Middle French. See sur-1, mount1

OTHER WORDS FROM surmount

Words nearby surmount

surinamese, surjection, surjective, surly, surmise, surmount, surmullet, surname, surpass, surpassing, surplice

Words related to surmount

conquer, exceed, lick, surpass, subdue, crown, down, hurdle, outstrip, pass, best, better, top, overpower, leap, crest, negotiate, throw, clear, cap

Example sentences from the Web for surmount

British Dictionary definitions for surmount

surmount
/ (sɜːˈmaʊnt) /

verb (tr)

to prevail over; overcome to surmount tremendous difficulties
to ascend and cross to the opposite side of
to lie on top of or rise above
to put something on top of or above
obsolete to surpass or exceed

Derived forms of surmount

surmountable, adjective surmountableness, noun surmounter, noun

Word Origin for surmount

C14: from Old French surmonter, from sur- 1 + monter to mount 1