: intended to catch up to a theoretical norm or a competitor's accomplishments
: the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch up (as with a norm or competitor)
had to play catch-up
also
: an increase intended to achieve catch-up
caught up; catching up; catches up
1
2
: to provide with the latest information
catch me up on the news
1
a
: to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party
The soldier ran to catch up with his unit.
b
: to reach a state of parity (see parity sense 1) or of being able to cope
students who miss class have difficulty catching up
2
: to bring about arrest for illicit activities
the police caught up with the thieves
3
a
: to complete or compensate (see compensate sense 1) for something belatedly
catch up on lost sleep
b
: to acquire belated information
catch up on the news
Synonyms
Examples of catchup in a Sentence
Verb
a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times
completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata
Recent Examples on the Web
Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
What was supposed to be a quick catch-up turned into a delightful two-hour reunion.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Mar. 2024
As part of that catch-up, hundreds of thousands of units debuted last year, with another million slated for 2024.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
If possible, take advantage of the ‘catch-up’ contribution limits for those 50 and older to help supercharge your savings.
—Amy Wagner and Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024
Two weeks ago, the King and Sunak exchanged a phone call, which was more of a catch-up than the formal audience that the monarch and prime minister traditionally hold weekly.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024
Store 8 was created when Walmart was scrambling to catch-up with Amazon.
—Andrew Binns, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
With the poor shooting first half — only four field goals made —putting them in catch-up mode, the Eagles’ valiant rally feel short.
—Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2024
Vanderbilt used the first-half momentum to extend its second-half lead by forcing the Tigers to play a game of catch-up.
—Jaden Lewis, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2024
Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Next week's rain potential has shifted slower, so the deficit should grow until potential activity Thu-Sat for a stronger catch-up attempt.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
Adient and Boeing Encore Interiors set about imagining an elevated short-haul business class: a lie-flat bed, loads of storage for luggage, minibar, library and space for another passenger to join you for a meeting or catch-up.
—Francesca Street, CNN, 14 Mar. 2023
That catch-up comes courtesy of Courteney Cox's reporter Gale Weathers and arrives after Ghostface has embarked on his latest murder spree.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2023
Consider inviting someone over for a cathartic catch-up!
—Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2023
Preceding the inclusion revolution—and a great example of playing digital catch-up—is the issue of privacy.
—Niv Penso, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
While her doctor noted that Twin A was significantly smaller than Twin B, at a follow-up appointment a week later, Twin A had caught up in size.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
The ruling military faces its biggest challenge since first taking control of Myanmar in 1962, caught up in low-intensity conflicts and grappling to steady an economy crumbling after the 2021 coup ended a decade of tentative democracy and reform.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Apr. 2024
Before all the glitz and glam, Billboard was backstage at rehearsals catching up with some of the night’s nominees and performers.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
Then Doncic made a three-pointer that basically settled things, giving the Mavericks a nine-point lead and leaving the Clippers trying to catch up with 1:26 left.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
As the days get longer and temperatures climb, your bottoms need to catch up—and that’s where the best linen pants come in.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2024
But like other countries, Costa Rica has to catch up on something that’s crucial for protecting forests and communities that rely on them: upholding Indigenous peoples’ rights to their land.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 22 Apr. 2024
Still carting Scheffler’s TaylorMade bag and a yellow Masters flagstick, Scott caught up to his proud player, who patted him on the back and pushed him forward.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024
Adjective
The 2024 catch-up contribution limit for employees aged 50 and over who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan is $7,500 (up from $6,500 in 2023).
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
What was supposed to be a quick catch-up turned into a delightful two-hour reunion.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Mar. 2024
As part of that catch-up, hundreds of thousands of units debuted last year, with another million slated for 2024.
—Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024
If possible, take advantage of the ‘catch-up’ contribution limits for those 50 and older to help supercharge your savings.
—Amy Wagner and Steve Hruby, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024
Two weeks ago, the King and Sunak exchanged a phone call, which was more of a catch-up than the formal audience that the monarch and prime minister traditionally hold weekly.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024
Store 8 was created when Walmart was scrambling to catch-up with Amazon.
—Andrew Binns, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024
With the poor shooting first half — only four field goals made —putting them in catch-up mode, the Eagles’ valiant rally feel short.
—Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2024
Vanderbilt used the first-half momentum to extend its second-half lead by forcing the Tigers to play a game of catch-up.
—Jaden Lewis, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2024
Noun
Those 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Next week's rain potential has shifted slower, so the deficit should grow until potential activity Thu-Sat for a stronger catch-up attempt.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
Adient and Boeing Encore Interiors set about imagining an elevated short-haul business class: a lie-flat bed, loads of storage for luggage, minibar, library and space for another passenger to join you for a meeting or catch-up.
—Francesca Street, CNN, 14 Mar. 2023
That catch-up comes courtesy of Courteney Cox's reporter Gale Weathers and arrives after Ghostface has embarked on his latest murder spree.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2023
Consider inviting someone over for a cathartic catch-up!
—Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2023
Preceding the inclusion revolution—and a great example of playing digital catch-up—is the issue of privacy.
—Niv Penso, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023
Verb
Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol caught up during a Carolina Herrera fashion show in New York City, and across the ocean, Bruce Springsteen performed a show in the Netherlands.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024
While her doctor noted that Twin A was significantly smaller than Twin B, at a follow-up appointment a week later, Twin A had caught up in size.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
The ruling military faces its biggest challenge since first taking control of Myanmar in 1962, caught up in low-intensity conflicts and grappling to steady an economy crumbling after the 2021 coup ended a decade of tentative democracy and reform.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Apr. 2024
Before all the glitz and glam, Billboard was backstage at rehearsals catching up with some of the night’s nominees and performers.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
Then Doncic made a three-pointer that basically settled things, giving the Mavericks a nine-point lead and leaving the Clippers trying to catch up with 1:26 left.
—Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
As the days get longer and temperatures climb, your bottoms need to catch up—and that’s where the best linen pants come in.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2024
But like other countries, Costa Rica has to catch up on something that’s crucial for protecting forests and communities that rely on them: upholding Indigenous peoples’ rights to their land.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 22 Apr. 2024
Still carting Scheffler’s TaylorMade bag and a yellow Masters flagstick, Scott caught up to his proud player, who patted him on the back and pushed him forward.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catchup.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near catchup
Cite this Entry
“Catchup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catchup. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share