1
as in trapping
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 fascinating
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 interesting
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 informing
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 catching up
The numbers suggest time could finally be catching up to the 37-year-old, but the film says otherwise.
—
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Fifty years later, the world is still catching up to him.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Maybe being a mom means, in part, always being behind, never quite catching up.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Pauley finished her senior year, sometimes cutting out of class early to help out at home and catching up with notes from classmates.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Even later in their careers, student loan holders aren't catching up.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
This distinction is important, and the market is still in the process of catching up.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But the compensation models are still catching up.
—John Acunto, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
The federal government is gradually catching up on economic reports that were postponed by the shutdown.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Fifty years later, the world is still catching up to him.
—Chris Schembra, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Maybe being a mom means, in part, always being behind, never quite catching up.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Pauley finished her senior year, sometimes cutting out of class early to help out at home and catching up with notes from classmates.
—Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Even later in their careers, student loan holders aren't catching up.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026
This distinction is important, and the market is still in the process of catching up.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
But the compensation models are still catching up.
—John Acunto, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
The federal government is gradually catching up on economic reports that were postponed by the shutdown.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching up
Verb
-
Schools closed, and an exodus of people fleeing the attacks jammed the streets with traffic, trapping drivers for hours.—
Rania Abouzeid,
New Yorker,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Several commenters also shared their view that the petition was part of a broader agenda by animal-rights proponents to chip away at Coloradan’s hunting and trapping rights.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Green Bay Packers are doing some shuffling at cornerback by adding Benjamin St-Juste while informing Nate Hobbs of a plan to release him a year after signing him to the $48 million, four-year contract, according to two people with knowledge of the decisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Carita Kim, a PUSD parent ambassador, was among those informing families about the program.—
Amy Stark Shireman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Forecasters warned that the storm's wind gusts could top 70 mph, uprooting trees and tangling power lines.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Using a cooling rack over water to propagate houseplants can help prevent root rot and tangling.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
This enchanting 500-year-old Grade II cottage is set in 12 acres of mature gardens and land – including paddocks, a kitchen garden, and access with frontage on the River Arun (including fishing rights), ideal for kayaking and other water pursuits.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The likes of Xabi Alonso, Enzo Maresca and Roberto De Zerbi are intriguing new options, but none offer the combination of experience, tactical flexibility and past silverware than Tuchel, a manager who brings solidity in and out of possession.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The White House is telling Republicans to refine their immigration messaging as the party stares down the midterm elections, a tacit acknowledgement that its hardline rhetoric about mass deportation risks alienating voters.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Letitia Wilbourn, a Fort Worth resident and a member of the Echo Heights neighborhood association, spoke in opposition to the substation improvements at the Zoning Commission meeting, telling commissioners that substations have led to health problems in the neighborhood.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bachik shared a post to Instagram first showing Lopez in action onstage, gripping a microphone in a dazzling, very Vegas costume (rhinestones and fishnets and wind machines, oh my).—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
10 Mar. 2026
-
On the other hand, his jumpstart of World War III has commenced, causing the stock market to tank, oil prices to go through the roof and a level of anxiety gripping the nation as never before.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catching up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching%20up. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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