overthrow ： 指彻底击败对手，使其丧失力量和地位。
defeat ： 普通用词，多指在战争、比赛、竞选或辩论中战胜对手，侧重胜利的暂时性。
beat ： 口笔语均可用，可与defeat换用。
subdue ： 正式用词，与conquer同义，但强调失败后的臣服状态;也可用作借喻，表克制、压抑感情、欲望等。
例句：
1. Having identified the problem, the question arises of how to overcome it.
发现问题后，如何克服它的问题又出现了。
2. I would overcome any weakness, any despair, any fear.
我要克服所有的软弱、绝望和恐惧。
3. With repeated applications of weedkiller, the weeds were overcome.
经过反复施用除草剂，杂草得以彻底根除。
4. These difficulties have been overcome without detriment to performance.
这些困难都已在不影响业绩的情况下得到了克服。
5. He was then overcome by a terrible fit of coughing.
接着他便控制不住地剧烈咳嗽了一阵。