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

Sinners The People’s Champion in the race, facing two huge obstacles in its path to overtaking OBAA. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

However, after the tiniest bit of convincing, I too was overtaken by the Christmas spirit and conceded. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025

Luckin Coffee, for instance, overtook Starbucks in both sales and store count in 2023. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025

The Upwork Research Institute has identified a segment of companies that is maneuvering differently, poised to overtake enterprise organizations in innovation and resilience in 2026. —Gabby Burlacu, Fortune, 18 Dec. 2025

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