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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overtake Bolles and the Broncos are hoping to not only hold serve at home again, but also overtake the rival Chiefs in the AFC West. Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 Former Vice President Kamala Harris was still the clear front-runner, with 34 percent support, but her backing ticked down 2 points from March — while Newsom overtook both former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Julia Mueller, The Hill, 21 June 2025 Likening it to how digital quickly overtook film and how now cell phones are being used for professional shoots, Kenney-Silver shared that advancement is par for the course. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 19 June 2025 About thirty years ago, Sonny was an ascendant Formula 1 star—cue many hilarious, grainy video clips of a younger Pitt, with a resplendent golden mullet—until his dreams were dashed by a near-fatal accident, during an attempt to overtake the three-time Formula 1 world champion Ayrton Senna. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for overtake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake
Verb
  • The fireball that caught the attention of people across the southeastern United States is presumed to be from a meteor fragmenting in the sky, according to meteorologists and other experts.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • That unique twist is exactly what caught the attention of Quinn Cosgrove, bass player for local Kansas band The Whips.
    Ramal Nasim, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The hydraulic anti-roll can get slightly upset on bumpy roads, however, as a friend chasing me on a liter bike noted on a Malibu pullout.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • However, the series main character, Mi-ji, has been able to move past the depression that kept her from chasing her ambitions for years.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • On Thursday, during an appearance on Fox Business' Mornings with Maria, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright warned that the grid was reaching its limit.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
  • Several states are reaching record high temperatures.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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