Verb

überwinden

Translation

to overcome, to conquer, to surmount

Er überwand seine Angst.

He overcame his fear.

Sie überwand die Krankheit schnell.

She quickly overcame the illness.

((sth.)) to overcome (sth.) She had to überwinden her shyness.

Synonyms: bewältigen (to cope with), besiegen (to defeat); Antonyms: scheitern (to fail), aufgeben (to give up)

From 'über-' (over) and 'winden' (to wind, twist). The idea is to get 'over' a twisted difficulty.

Imagine climbing 'over' a 'winding' and difficult path to get to the top.