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 flames overtook the apartment—and her with it.
—
Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Many popular landscape shrubs grow a foot or two a year, quickly overtaking everything around them.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Yet, his ability to overtake and win as the rep progresses is impressive.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Researchers found that China overtook the United States in scientific output even earlier.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Many popular landscape shrubs grow a foot or two a year, quickly overtaking everything around them.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Yet, his ability to overtake and win as the rep progresses is impressive.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Researchers found that China overtook the United States in scientific output even earlier.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Cite this Entry
“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overtake. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overtake
verb
over·take
ˌō-vər-ˈtāk 
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
