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

D’Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran, has for the last five years been running the parks and experiences side of Disney, which has overtaken the entertainment wing as the company’s profit engine. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026

Madness has certainly overtaken the Middle East. —Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

But this shortage arrives just as the semiconductor industry has become the largest consumer of helium, overtaking MRI scanners in recent years. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026

In the 1,600 years since this Christian missionary and bishop made his mark in Ireland, the cult and mythology surrounding him has overtaken the man himself. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 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