Synonyms of overtake

overtake

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈtāk 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• catch
• chase
• reach
• pursue
• catch up (with)
• overhaul
• gain
• pass
• surpass

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall short

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of overtake

As for the Russell incident, the Mercedes driver attempted to overtake Hamilton as the gaggle of cars approached Turn 5. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Just three minutes into the half, Mbappé scored his ninth goal of the tournament to overtake Argentina’s Lionel Messi for the lead in the 2026 Golden Boot race. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

By late Thursday afternoon, Chicago had overtaken Detroit, Minneapolis and Toronto as the most polluted major city in the world, according to Swiss air quality company IQAir. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Modi’s recent visit to Australia - where India overtook the England as the top country for Australians born overseas last year - also sparked anti-India protests. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 15 July 2026