German word

bezwingen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈtsvɪŋən/

Meaning

  • verbovercome

Example

Sie hat die Krankheit bezwungen.

She overcame the illness.

Illustration for bezwingen (overcome)

More examples

Nach langem Training konnte er seine Angst bezwingen.

After a long period of training, he was able to overcome his fear.

Core concept

A determined effort brings an opponent, illness, or formidable challenge under complete control.

Common phrases

  • seine Angst bezwingen

    overcome his fear

  • eine Krankheit bezwingen

    overcome an illness

  • seinen inneren Schweinehund bezwingen

    overcome his inner laziness

Similar words

überwinden: To overcome a difficulty or fear through effort and persistence.
schaffen: To achieve a goal or complete a task successfully.
bewältigen: To handle a problem or demanding burden successfully.
besiegen: To defeat an opponent or enemy in battle or competition.

Definition in German

jemanden oder etwas durch Kraft, Können oder Willen überwinden oder besiegen.

Word origin

The verb combines the prefix be- with Germanic zwingen, meaning "to force," and developed the sense of forcing something or someone into submission.

Usage tips

  • Bezwingen has a stronger and somewhat literary tone than common alternatives such as überwinden, and its past forms are bezwang and hat bezwungen.

Other meanings

  • defeatverb
  • conquerverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Bezwingungovercomingnoun
  • bezwingbarconquerableadjective

Word lists with this word