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
Sports as a kid catching up with me.
—
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Uber will have some catching up to do in San Francisco, the city where it’s based.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Democratic New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill is narrowly in the lead in the New Jersey gubernatorial race but her Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli is catching up, according to a poll.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
When Miami Metro’s Angel Batista (David Zayas) arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
The system is still catching up to the fact that preventative care is in fact necessary now.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
Anthropic has some catching up to do, however.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Speaking of which, the big category shake-up this year is the introduction of best traditional country album, which is alternately being seen as a reaction to Beyoncé’s best country album victory last year or simply catching up to similar subdivisions in R&B and other genres.
—Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
When that happens, catching up will be far harder—and far more expensive—than acting now.
—Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Uber will have some catching up to do in San Francisco, the city where it’s based.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Democratic New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill is narrowly in the lead in the New Jersey gubernatorial race but her Republican rival Jack Ciattarelli is catching up, according to a poll.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
When Miami Metro’s Angel Batista (David Zayas) arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
The system is still catching up to the fact that preventative care is in fact necessary now.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Oct. 2025
Anthropic has some catching up to do, however.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Speaking of which, the big category shake-up this year is the introduction of best traditional country album, which is alternately being seen as a reaction to Beyoncé’s best country album victory last year or simply catching up to similar subdivisions in R&B and other genres.
—Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
When that happens, catching up will be far harder—and far more expensive—than acting now.
—Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching up
Verb
-
If those steps don’t work, Kellum said other options might include trapping and potentially using nonlethal projectiles, such as paint balls, to chase away, haze and deter them.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Skies clear out Tuesday night and, without the blanket of heat-trapping clouds, temperatures will drop even more by Wednesday morning, with lows near freezing.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Dec. 2025
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
-
New speed limit signs are expected to go up in the beginning of February, and FWC officers assigned to the area will begin enforcement by first informing boaters that the rules have changed, the city said in a news release.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
As for the rental’s neighbors, the regulations, if approved, also stipulate that a short-term rental’s owner send a letter by mail to adjoining property owners informing them that the residence has been approved as a short-term rental at least one week before the first rental in a calendar year.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Laces can be washed in the same load, ideally tucked into another laundry bag to prevent tangling.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
29 Dec. 2025
-
The large brush roll resists tangling hair and pet fur, which eliminates the need to stop and pull items off the brush—and also eliminates a clogged pipe.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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If that wasn't enchanting enough, they were then joined by their original Broadway counterparts, Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda) and Idina Menzel (Elphaba).—
Jillian Sederholm,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Even the most incredulous of us listened to him describe the visions of fleeting stars that were enchanting enough to swoon the most beautiful people on this poor Earth.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Our guide to the best upcoming sci-fi movies in 2026 features a blockbuster mix of popular franchises, intriguing one-offs, and one of the greatest directors of all time heading back to alien visitation territory.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
31 Dec. 2025
-
New York has intriguing young outfielders in Jasson Domínguez and Spencer jones, but Bellinger was the team's second best player in the lineup this season.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As doctors pressed her for information, Nicole remembered Hannah telling her about special supplement capsules that Brian placed on her nightstand every night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
After telling his story to the ship's captain (Lars Mikkelsen), Victor is confronted by the Creature, now emerged from the sea.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The simple and elegant dress was made to have a fluid silhouette that skimmed her body rather than tightly gripping it, letting the neckline do most of the talking.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
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In one of the larger fraud cases gripping the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the Feeding Our Future scheme cost taxpayers nearly $250 million, after the program's director approved nonexistent meal services going to poor people.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catching up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching%20up. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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