be overcome by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be overcome by" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or feeling where one is overwhelmed or overpowered by something. Example: The city was be overcome by chaos and destruction after the hurricane hit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Fragility could be overcome by toughness.

The New York Times - Sports

This could be overcome, by updating agricultural methods.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that stance might be overcome by foreign insistence.

The New York Times

This will be overcome by designating visitors "friends" or "guests".

The Guardian

But several obstacles must be overcome by spring.

The New York Times

Lack of size, Iverson found, could be overcome by fearlessness.

The New York Times - Sports

Given this nausea, it's very easy to be overcome by it and step back into paralysis.

The Guardian

But Mr. Beyea refused to be overcome by his disability, his mother said.

The New York Times

So the dark mud of the Depression might be overcome by the questing spirit.

The New York Times

And people hurried around, as if this could be overcome by making arrangements.

The New Yorker

Such hesitancy might be overcome by the allure of the new revenue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, use it to convey a loss of control when a character is affected by deep feelings such as grief, joy or exhaustion

Common error

While one is often 'overcome with' emotion, in passive constructions describing a process or resolution, 'overcome by' is preferred to introduce the active agent or specific solution. For example, 'the problem was overcome by innovation' is more precise than using 'with' in that specific structural context

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be overcome by" functions as a passive verb phrase. It consists of the auxiliary verb 'be', the past participle 'overcome' and the preposition 'by' which introduces the agent. According to Ludwig, it typically marks a shift where the subject transitions from a state of being hindered to a state of being influenced or mastered by an external force.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science & Technical Research

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Informal Conversation

10%

Wiki & General Knowledge

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be overcome by" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction confirmed by Ludwig AI as highly prevalent in professional and scientific discourse. It effectively bridges the gap between describing technical problem-solving—where shortcomings can "be overcome by" new methodologies—and human emotional experiences. Whether you are discussing how a team might "be overcome by" pressure or how a scientific barrier can "be overcome by" data analysis, the phrase remains a reliable choice for formal English. It is a preferred alternative to simpler words when the writer intends to emphasize the method or agent of change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be overwhelmed by

Emphasizes the sheer intensity or volume of the emotion or force

be surmounted by

Suggests successfully getting over a physical or abstract obstacle

be defeated by

Specific to competitive, military or literal combat scenarios

be overpowered by

Focuses on the superior physical strength or force of the agent

be conquered by

Implies total dominance or submission to a force

be swept away by

More idiomatic and used primarily for sudden, powerful emotions

be eclipsed by

Suggests being made to seem insignificant by something else

be resolved by

Clinical or professional tone focused on finding a solution

be countered by

Indicates a direct opposition or balancing force

be bypassed by

Suggests avoiding the obstacle rather than facing and defeating it

FAQs

What can I say instead of "be overcome by"?

Depending on your meaning, you can use alternatives like "be overwhelmed by" for emotions or "be surmounted by" for physical or technical obstacles.

How do I use "be overcome by" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe overcoming a challenge, such as: "These technical limitations can "be overcome by using" better software."

Is it "be overcome by" or "be overcome with"?

Both are correct but used differently. Use "be overcome with" for emotions (e.g. overcome with grief) and use "be overcome by" when an agent or method is solving a problem (e.g. overcome by hard work).

Can I say "be defeated by" as a synonym?

Yes, "be defeated by" is a strong synonym when the context involves a struggle, contest or a literal battle.