surmount Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb get on top of; deal with successfully
    get over; master; subdue; overcome.
    • He overcame his shyness
  2. verb be on top of
    • The scarf surmounted the gown
  3. verb reach the highest point of
    scale.
    • We scaled the Mont Blanc
  4. verb be or do something to a greater degree
    exceed; surpass; outperform; outgo; outstrip; outmatch; outdo.
    • her performance surpasses that of any other student I know
    • She outdoes all other athletes
    • This exceeds all my expectations
    • This car outperforms all others in its class

WordNet

Sur*mount" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. sourmounten, OF. surmonter, sormonter, F. surmonter; sur over + monter to mount. See Sur-, and Mount, v. i.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Surmounted; present participle & verbal noun Surmounting
Definitions
  1. To rise above; to be higher than; to overtop.
    The mountains of Olympus, Athos, and Atlas, overreach and surmount all winds and clouds. Sir W. Raleigh.
  2. To conquer; to overcome; as, to surmount difficulties or obstacles. Macaulay.
  3. To surpass; to exceed. Spenser.
    What surmounts the reach Of human sense I shall delineate. Milton.
    Syn. -- To conquer; overcome; vanquish; subdue; surpass; exceed.

Webster 1913