surmount

/səˈmaʊnt/ (bre, ipa) · [sɚmˈaʊnt] /sərˈmaʊnt/ (ame, ipa) · [sɚmˈaʊnt] /sər-ˈmau̇nt How to pronounce surmount (audio)/ (ame, mw)

surmount — 動詞

  • surmountpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • surmountshe / she / it
  • surmountedpast simple
  • surmounting-ing form

1. to successfully overcome a difficulty, problem, or obstacle — to find a way thro

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

克服

成功解決困難或問題

to successfully overcome a difficulty, problem, or obstacle — to find a way through or past something that was blocking progress.

例句

The team surmounted every technical obstacle and launched the rocket on schedule.

團隊克服了每一個技術障礙，按時發射了火箭。

collocation: surmount + obstacle / difficulty / problem

Rania had to surmount her fear of public speaking before she could accept the promotion.

Rania 必須克服對公開演講的恐懼，才能接受那次升職。

surmount + abstract noun (fear, challenge)

同義詞
  • overcome

    more common in everyday speech; surmount is slightly more formal

  • conquer

    stronger, more dramatic tone; implies complete victory

  • get past

    informal phrasal verb; appropriate in casual contexts

反義詞

文法句型

surmount + noun phrase (difficulty, obstacle, problem)

用法筆記

Commonly used with nouns like obstacle, difficulty, problem, challenge, hurdle, or barrier. More formal and less frequent than overcome in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌She surmounted the box to reach the shelf.
✅She climbed onto the box to reach the shelf.
💡surmount is not used for physically climbing over small objects; use climb or step for non-metaphorical mountaineering.

2. to occupy the highest position on a tall structure — used for statues, ornaments

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

聳立

位於高大物體的上方

to occupy the highest position on a tall structure — used for statues, ornaments, or architectural elements that sit as a crowning feature above a column, building, or similar high object.

例句

A golden statue of a lion surmounts the entrance gate of the old palace.

一座金色獅子雕像聳立在舊皇宮的大門上方。

active voice: [ornament] surmounts [structure]

The twelve-foot marble column was surmounted by an elegant bronze angel with outstretched wings.

那座 12 英尺高的大理石柱頂端矗立著一尊展翅的青銅天使像。

formal passive: was surmounted by

同義詞
  • crown

    more metaphorical; suggests the top element completes the structure

  • cap

    shorter and less formal; used for flat roof elements

  • sit atop

    descriptive and slightly informal

文法句型

be surmounted by + noun phrase

surmount + noun phrase (something tall)

用法筆記

Almost always used in formal descriptions of architecture, monuments, or natural features. The passive construction (be surmounted by) is far more common than the active voice.

常見錯誤

❌The cat surmounted the fence.
✅The cat jumped onto the fence.
💡BE ON TOP sense is for static architectural features, not animals or people.

3. to climb up to and reach the very top of a physical height such as a mountain, w

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

登上

攀爬到物理高度的頂端

to climb up to and reach the very top of a physical height such as a mountain, wall, or ridge.

例句

The expedition finally surmounted the icy ridge after three days of difficult climbing.

探險隊經過三天的艱難攀爬，終於登上了結冰的山脊。

surmount + geographical feature (ridge, peak, mountain)

Reuben and his cousin were the first to surmount the ancient fortress wall with ropes.

Reuben 和他的表弟是第一批用繩索爬上古城牆的人。

同義詞
  • scale

    implies effort and skill in climbing a vertical surface

  • summit

    used specifically for reaching the top of a mountain

  • conquer

    stronger, metaphorical tone

反義詞

文法句型

surmount + noun phrase (mountain, peak, wall)

用法筆記

This sense is uncommon in modern English; climb or scale is preferred for most everyday contexts. Surmount here carries a slightly more formal or literary tone.

常見錯誤

❌He surmounted the ladder to fix the roof.
✅He climbed the ladder to fix the roof.
💡surmount suggests reaching the top of something large or imposing, not a household ladder.

4. to go beyond a previous level of achievement or quality — to do better than some

4.動詞及物C1
釋義

超越

在成就或品質上勝過他人

to go beyond a previous level of achievement or quality — to do better than someone or something else, especially in skill or output.

例句

Zuri's final exam score surmounted every previous record in the school's history.

Zuri 期末考的成績超越了學校歷來的所有紀錄。

surmount + record / achievement / expectation

The new smartphone's performance easily surmounted that of its closest competitor.

新款智慧型手機的表現輕鬆超越了最強勁的競爭對手。

同義詞
  • surpass

    the most common synonym for this sense; used in both formal and neutral contexts

  • exceed

    neutral, widely used with numbers, expectations, limits

  • outstrip

    suggests a clear margin of difference

反義詞

文法句型

surmount + noun phrase (record, achievement, expectation)

用法筆記

Highly formal and somewhat literary. In most modern contexts, surpass, exceed, or outdo are more common choices. Often found in written rather than spoken English.

常見錯誤

❌He surmounted his brother in height.
✅He is taller than his brother.
💡surmount is not used for simple physical comparisons in modern English.