overtake

verb

over·​take ˌō-vər-ˈtāk 

overtook ˌō-vər-ˈtu̇k  ; overtaken ˌō-vər-ˈtā-kən  ; overtaking

transitive verb

1

a

: to catch up with

b

: to catch up with and pass by

2

: to come upon suddenly

Synonyms of overtake

• catch
• chase
• reach

Examples of overtake in a Sentence

She overtook the other runners and went on to win the race.

The sign says “No Overtaking.”

Seasickness can overtake passengers when the ship encounters a storm.

Recent Examples on the Web

The data also pushes back against the idea that short-form video has overtaken longer content. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 June 2026

The crew was overtaken by a fast-moving blaze with no viable escape route or safety zone, the US Wildland Fire Service said. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 30 June 2026

Microsoft and Alphabet have also overtaken BCG and McKinsey as the most common pipeline for founders. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Firefighters killed The fire that forced evacuation of the river rafters and campers claimed the lives of three wildland firefighters and injured two others in Mesa County as flames overtook them. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from over entry 1 + taken to take

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for overtake

• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• undertake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake

Kids Definition

overtake

verb

over·​take ˌō-vər-ˈtāk 

overtook -ˈtu̇k  ; overtaken -ˈtā-kən  ; overtaking

1

a

: to catch up with

b

: to catch up with and pass by

2

: to come upon suddenly

a blizzard overtook the hunting party