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
Formed in England in the mid-1600s, the Religious Society of Friends became known for the tremors and convulsions that would overtake its members during prayer.
—
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
According to witnesses, the minibus carrying the children was reportedly overtaking other stationary vehicles when the head-on collision occurred, per the news agency.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
The only thing faster than a bullet train is the zombie infection overtaking its passengers.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
The buckthorn seedlings that germinate from fruit dropped by my neighbor’s buckthorns and bird feeding would quickly overtake my garden plants without regular intervention.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
According to witnesses, the minibus carrying the children was reportedly overtaking other stationary vehicles when the head-on collision occurred, per the news agency.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
The only thing faster than a bullet train is the zombie infection overtaking its passengers.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
The buckthorn seedlings that germinate from fruit dropped by my neighbor’s buckthorns and bird feeding would quickly overtake my garden plants without regular intervention.
—Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake
Verb
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Not long after being resentenced, Thompson escaped from the Harris County Jail in Houston and spent three days on the run before being caught.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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This is the wrong time to be caught in these situations.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sierra Canyon also adjusted at halftime and were quicker to the perimeter, chasing the Celts off the 3-point line.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Rhodes chased him down the ramp and continued the brawl.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Iran has been plunged into a nationwide internet blackout as anti-regime protests intensify, severely restricting communication across the country as demonstrations enter their second week and the death toll reaches 44, according to reports.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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According to the official, the suspect refused to roll his window down or get out of his car, so the officer broke a rear window and reached inside the car to unlock the door.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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