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

But the boat overtook me, pounded at me as if asking me not to leave it. — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026

There was a sense of freedom that overtook some of his angry feelings. — Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Social and video platforms have overtaken TV and news sites as the most common way people access news in dozens of countries studied in 2026 by the Reuters Institute. — Seth Ashley, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

While that went against the team's competitive instincts, Red Bull followed the advice, and Verstappen subsequently overtook his rival, Harington said. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 13 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