1
as in traps
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fascinates
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
as in interests
to hold the attention of
so caught up in the game that she didn't note the passage of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in advises
to give information to
catch me up on what's been happening at the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catches up
Still, the Giannis competition catches up in the offseason, when teams like Miami can suddenly tap into more first-rounders and, as such, present a package that might surpass what Golden State has out there now.
—
Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But the Demogorgon catches up, dragging Will into the decaying lair of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), looking as menacing as ever.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
After weeks of lying and searching for solace through the grief of others, her inability to move on catches up with her.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
But when his past catches up with him, he is confronted with the ultimate test.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Marty also catches up with Tap’s concert promoter, Simon Howler (Chris Addison), who shares his new ideas and catches up with Nigel about some old ideas.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The new 10-episode season — its 14th — is streaming now on Hulu and catches up with the Hill family in a vastly different America.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But the Demogorgon catches up, dragging Will into the decaying lair of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), looking as menacing as ever.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
After weeks of lying and searching for solace through the grief of others, her inability to move on catches up with her.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2025
But when his past catches up with him, he is confronted with the ultimate test.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Marty also catches up with Tap’s concert promoter, Simon Howler (Chris Addison), who shares his new ideas and catches up with Nigel about some old ideas.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The new 10-episode season — its 14th — is streaming now on Hulu and catches up with the Hill family in a vastly different America.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches up
Verb
-
The porous volcanic ash, known as picón, traps condensation from morning dew and slowly channels moisture toward the roots.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
To prevent hypothermia, dress in layers of warm clothing, which traps air between layers forming a protective insulation.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
How golfers rely on — and leverage — technology fascinates Skenes, from the numbers culled relative to swing speed and ball flight to how their bodies must be in sync to generate so much club speed.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
-
What fascinates me as a writer is what is sometimes left out of the historical record, what gets tucked away in odd places.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If there are too many items on your list that no longer engage or excite you, one career resolution for 2026 could be to write yourself a new job description and negotiate with your manager to do more of what interests you.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Choose a specific cause that interests your kids and give back together.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Parents,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the end, the thieves did not steal his car, but Roy advises any other victim — let the thieves take it.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
When selecting a bird bath, only use a shallow dish that is no deeper than 3 inches, advises Mizejewski.—
Anne Readel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wire pin or slicker brushes work best for dogs with long hair that tangles easily.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ella has shades of Holly Hunter's intense, workaholic producer Jane from Brooks' 1987 masterpiece Broadcast News, the smartest person in any room who both exhausts and enchants everyone around her.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
12 Dec. 2025
-
By bringing these three gestures together, Killam fashions a method that repairs, strengthens, and re-enchants the invisible social fabric that sustains us.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The menu has a lot of delicious choices, but the one that intrigues my girlfriend is their overnight oat bowl.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
And what intrigues you about where Tim and Lucy are headed for the rest of the season?—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jennette McCurdy tells Sofia Coppola about writing Half His Age.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
After age 30, people lose, on average, 3% to 5% of their muscle mass each decade, which is an especially risky trajectory for women, Rachele Pojednic, PhD, EdM, FACSM, a nutrition and exercise researcher, and director of education at Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, tells SELF.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catches up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catches%20up. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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