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

Rothman described her as a careful listener who absorbs information quickly and could be trusted when events overtake the script. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

But the penultimate week of the 13th season left even the devil’s spawn in harm’s way, as Ben, Cordelia (Sarah Paulson) and Queenie (Gabourey Sidibe) were overtaken by Ben’s satanic father (who is played by both Fedor Steer and Paul Anthony Kelly). — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026

Its shift toward takeout and delivery from dine-in restaurants proved costly, and by 2020, Domino’s had overtaken Pizza Hut in both worldwide sales and restaurant count. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026

In a freakier offshoot of the romantasy that has overtaken bestseller lists in recent years, these monster tales have sensational titles and even wilder plots. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026