as in to catch
to move fast enough to get even with
she had to hurry to overtake her friends, who had forgotten their umbrellas the thunderstorm overtook them suddenly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overtake
Academies have overtaken high school and college soccer A player’s journey almost always begins with a ball, at home or at a nearby park.
—
Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Some of our favorites feature a pair of female astronauts who fall in love, women overtaken by vampirism and a man facing down the AIDS epidemic.
—Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Today that benchmark has been overtaken by something more complex.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 10 June 2026
White clover can quickly overtake your lawn, competing with grass and plants for nutrients and sunlight.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Some of our favorites feature a pair of female astronauts who fall in love, women overtaken by vampirism and a man facing down the AIDS epidemic.
—Caroline Killilea, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Today that benchmark has been overtaken by something more complex.
—Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 10 June 2026
White clover can quickly overtake your lawn, competing with grass and plants for nutrients and sunlight.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake
Verb
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If caught in a rip current, remain calm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
18 June 2026
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Refs opted to disregard the blatant flagrant foul and the usually stoic Brunson erupted, chasing after the officials before turning on his heel in a fury and returning to the bench.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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The picture is more nuanced for athletes chasing peak output.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Thao Nguyen Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed to Iranian state television that a deal to end the war has been reached.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
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Under Obama, the US was part of an international coalition that reached an agreement with Iran to limit its nuclear program.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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