the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
v. To rise above; to be higher than; to overtop.
v. To conquer; to overcome.
v. To surpass; to exceed.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
To mount or rise above; overtop; excel; surpass.
To mount up on; pass over by mounting.
To place something over or upon.
To overcome; pass over, as difficulties or obstacles; get the better of.
To rise up; hence, to surpass; exceed.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
v. be on top of
v. get on top of; deal with successfully
v. reach the highest point of
v. be or do something to a greater degree
Word Usage
"The key difficulty Mr Brown needs to surmount is that Labour looks so dreadfully tired (as well as appallingly incompetent, but let’s leave that to one side)."