catchup

noun (1)

catch·up | \ ˈke-chəp

, ˈka-\

less common spelling of ketchup

: a seasoned pureed condiment usually made from tomatoes

catch-up

adjective

\ ˈkach-ˌəp

, ˈkech-\

Definition of catch-up (Entry 2 of 4)

: intended to catch up to a theoretical norm or a competitor's accomplishments

catch-up

noun (2)

Definition of catch-up (Entry 3 of 4)

: the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch up (as with a norm or competitor) had to play catch-up also : an increase intended to achieve catch-up

catch up

verb

caught up; catching up; catches up

Definition of catch up (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to pick up often abruptly the thief caught the purse up and ran

b : ensnare, entangle education has been caught up in a stultifying mythology— N. M. Pusey

c : enthrall the … public was caught up in the car's magic— D. A. Jedlicka

2 : to provide with the latest information catch me up on the news

intransitive verb

1a : to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party The soldier ran to catch up with his unit.

b : to reach a state of parity (see parity sense 1) or of being able to cope students who miss class have difficulty catching up

2 : to bring about arrest for illicit activities the police caught up with the thieves

3a : to complete or compensate (see compensate sense 1) for something belatedly catch up on lost sleep

b : to acquire belated information catch up on the news

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about catchup

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Synonyms & Antonyms for catchup

Synonyms: Verb

enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, ensnarl, entangle, entoil, entrap, mesh, net, snare, tangle, trap

Antonyms: Verb

disentangle, untangle

Examples of catchup in a Sentence

Verb

a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

As a reminder, this is Tyler, with his one-on-one date (Tyler obviously hasn't commented on the situation): View this post on Instagram 🤙🏽finally caught up to her. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Why Did Tyler G. Get Sent Home on 'The Bachelorette'?," 28 May 2019 Their aim is to shore up supplies of important commodities caught up in the U.S.-China trade conflict. — Rhiannon Hoyle, WSJ, "U.S. Rare Earths Revival Planned Amid Trade Conflict," 20 May 2019 The days leading up to the Met Gala are always a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones. — Wendy Yu, Vogue, "Wendy Yu Shares Her Met Gala Photo Diary," 14 May 2019 While Vanya's book might not actually be available, fans have a chance to catch up on the comic books before the show comes back for season 2! — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "There Was a Major Easter Egg in the First Episode of "The Umbrella Academy"," 4 Mar. 2019 This week, Meghan Markle's in New York City, catching up with old friends and celebrating her first baby shower. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Meet Meghan Markle's Best Friend Jessica Mulroney," 20 Feb. 2019 Watch the new kids on the season 8 of Dance Moms airing on Lifetime on June 4 and catch up on all the old seasons on Hulu. — Mackenzie Dunn, Woman's Day, "Meet The Cast of 'Dance Moms' Season 8," 19 May 2019 Now, Schechter is at the forefront of a genre that most are rushing to catch up with, forgoing traditional publishing in favor of faster platforms—podcasts, YouTube videos, even TV docuseries. — Maude Campbell, Popular Mechanics, "The Time of True Crime," 26 Apr. 2019 But here go probably has a little catching up to do. — Alina Cho, Marie Claire, "Women of the Hour: Thandie Newton, Elisabeth Moss, and Sandra Oh," 5 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catchup.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.