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

The end had come, the last ounce of effort expended, and the pride was slowly overtaking the pain. —Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026

Its slump comes as investors continue to wring their hands over the possibility that AI tools like Claude Cowork might overtake Microsoft 365, which has been a major revenue driver for Microsoft. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026

But the main reason to grow mint in a container is to keep it from overtaking your garden! —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026

Unfortunately, the striking shrub spreads by roots and seeds, overtaking native plants. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 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