catch up

Definition of catch upnext
1
as in to trap
to catch or hold as if in a net a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to fascinate
to hold the attention of as if by a spell completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of catch up Open models offer another option, and their capabilities are catching up. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2026 Vans is still waiting for its revenue to catch up with the attention its been grabbing among sneakerheads over the past year-plus, but the Old Skool is undoubtedly its shoe of the moment. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026 If anything, Folorunsho had to tone it down and learn not to get caught up in individual battles. — Mike McGraw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Before conscious analysis has fully caught up, a leader may already be registering that something deserves attention. — J.k. Dickinson, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catch up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catch up
Verb
  • In 2023, a blizzard dumped unprecedented amounts of snow, trapping people inside for days.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Emergency crews in Sea Bright, New Jersey, rescued a woman and her dog after their vehicle became trapped in floodwaters, ABC7 reported.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • So that fascinated me, the fact that these fields were somehow kind of edgy in terms of our definition of the scientific method and so on.
    — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
  • What fascinates me most isn't simply whether Wagner can squeeze 621 miles out of this massive battery.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Try the version that interests you before worrying about whether everyone understands it.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026
  • What interested me most was the psychic cost of doing this work day in and day out.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Upon stepping at the brand’s showroom here, one could be met with an explosion of tangerine hues informing unfussy tops, tunics and cotton dresses cut in essential shapes and infused with vitaminic energy.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The app can also track who goes through your door and when, sending notifications to keep you informed.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Getting tangled up in antlers isn't my idea of an enjoyable afternoon.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Pawlikowski’s mother and father, also named Zula and Wiktor, whose unmanageable love had kept them tangled and disentangled for decades, took their own lives in 1989, as the Cold War that had cast its chill upon their time was beginning to thaw.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Perhaps too enchanted, as Pitt lost his date on the dance floor that night.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Even the Owens family’s enchanting New England home, which the internet has spent nearly three decades foaming at the mouth over, is barely seen, as much of the film takes place overseas.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • While the ceasefire halted the heaviest fighting and humanitarian conditions have improved, the Israeli military has expanded its control of Gaza and now occupies some 60% of the territory.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • American Supercritical says its system occupies about one-tenth the space of a steam system.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When Arisa proclaims herself a Faithful, Michael looks hilariously stunned, and Alan tells them to weep for the fall of innocence and the failure of justice.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Hawaii officials told residents to put together emergency kits and the governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members.
    — MEGAN JANETSKY, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Catch up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catch%20up. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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