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

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

Finally, in the film’s third act, Mera and Aquaman, while traveling to find the magic trident, catch up with Manta in Sicily, defeat him, break his helmet, and throw him into the ocean. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "Aquaman’s post-credits scene, explained," 21 Dec. 2018 Then the electrons are gone again, leaving the bewildered ions still trying to catch up. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Technical tour-de-force traps positrons," 11 Dec. 2018 So a lot of your relationship is on the phone and iChatting and trying to catch up. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Here Are All the "PLL" Stars' Relationship Statuses IRL," 14 Aug. 2018 Other sports are trying to catch up; the 2020 Olympics will feature mixed events added to shooting, table tennis, swimming, track and field and triathlon. — Ben Rothenberg, New York Times, "To Know Mixed Doubles’ Place in Tennis, Look at the Prize Money," 13 July 2018 This week brings an opportunity to see one of baseball’s top contenders trying to catch up with the first-place Boston Red Sox on the back half of the schedule. — Josh Land, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles on deck: What to watch Tuesday vs. Yankees, plus lineups, broadcast info and more," 10 July 2018 The continuously variable transmission is at its best in an electric car, which can lay down immediate power without any motorboating effect of the engine trying to catch up with the power demand. — Mark Maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Toyota Prius Prime: Nothing fancy, just 640 miles on a tank," 8 June 2018 Models Georgia Fowler, Camille Rowe, and Kelly Sawyer caught up, while Frieze Los Angeles executive director Bettina Korek spoke to Artsy cofounder Wendi Murdoch. — David Graver, Vogue, "Rimowa and Garage Magazine Celebrate Artist Alex Israel at a Frieze Los Angeles Fete," 19 Feb. 2019 When the show first aired in 2012, Entertainment Tonight caught up with the cast and their professional advisors to discuss how much of the NBC drama is based on facts. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "The 'Chicago Fire' Cast Had to Do Some Intense Professional Training for the Show," 6 Feb. 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.