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

Columnist Frank Shyong caught up with the good foot doctor to talk about the end of a strange kind of fame. — latimes.com, "Today: On Edge Over ICE Raids," 15 July 2019 But the company was caught up in international controversy and boycotts in 2014 because its main factory was located in the occupied West Bank. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz at Work, "The secret to success of an Israeli company that’s the darling of Warren Buffett," 14 July 2019 Police caught up with Hightower a short time later at the Beachland Tavern, where he was found shirtless and doing pushups in the women’s restroom. — David Owens, courant.com, "Hartford man with 40 arrests charged with robbery 44 minutes after court official orders West Hartford police to release him," 12 July 2019 My colleague Cam Inman caught up with Steph Curry on KD, the Dubs and his golf game. — Mark Medina, The Mercury News, "Warriors mailbag: Making sense of the Warriors’ free agency moves," 12 July 2019 Kay catches up with the girl near a gate only to lose track of her again. — Washington Post, "‘Sea of Solitude’ is a well-meaning misfire," 11 July 2019 The law had caught up with a Palm Beach roué, A man of luxurious means, Charged with tracking, pimping, procuring, and rape Of dozens of underage teens. — John Lithgow, The New Yorker, "Acosta Agonistes," 11 July 2019 Ethiopia has been caught up in increasingly complex and bloody ethnic conflicts that have driven more than a million people from their homes. — Martin Plaut, Quartz Africa, "The glow of the historic accord between Ethiopia and Eritrea has faded," 9 July 2019 Whereas you, or most humans, would be caught up in your anger until the other person got back. — Alexa Lisitza, Teen Vogue, "The Best Advice from Therapists, From 50 Different People," 9 July 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.