overtake

verb

over·​take ˌō-vər-ˈtāk 

overtook ˌō-vər-ˈtu̇k  ; overtaken ˌō-vər-ˈtā-kən  ; overtaking

transitive verb

1

a

: to catch up with

b

: to catch up with and pass by

2

: to come upon suddenly

Synonyms of overtake

• catch
• chase
• reach

Examples of overtake in a Sentence

She overtook the other runners and went on to win the race.

The sign says “No Overtaking.”

Seasickness can overtake passengers when the ship encounters a storm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Shibuya has also closed off some public toilets and changing areas in the train station so they can’t be overtaken by partiers getting into their costumes. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from over entry 1 + taken to take

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for overtake

• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• undertake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake

Kids Definition

overtake

verb

over·​take ˌō-vər-ˈtāk 

overtook -ˈtu̇k  ; overtaken -ˈtā-kən  ; overtaking

1

a

: to catch up with

b

: to catch up with and pass by

2

: to come upon suddenly

a blizzard overtook the hunting party