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
Relevance
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
Unfortunately, their romance is challenged by one of Dean’s best friends dying unexpectedly, and his difficult past with an ex-girlfriend catching up with him.
—
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 May 2026
Two staffers next to me whispered to each other, catching up about their week off.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Why Hobby-Maxxing Matters for Mental and Physical Health The science is catching up to the trend.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
The state has 296 existing sites, quickly catching up to Virginia, the country’s data-center hub.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
The science behind why your brain feels rebooted afterward is finally catching up to the hype.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
So while Geely’s breakthrough screams potential, the supporting cast – grid capacity, charger density, and standardization – is still catching up.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
Despite delays in previous weeks, its haulers are catching up, said Andy Wontor, a county spokesperson said.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
The turnout rate for student voters at community colleges was catching up with the rate at public four-year institutions, data suggested.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 May 2026
Two staffers next to me whispered to each other, catching up about their week off.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Why Hobby-Maxxing Matters for Mental and Physical Health The science is catching up to the trend.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
The state has 296 existing sites, quickly catching up to Virginia, the country’s data-center hub.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
The science behind why your brain feels rebooted afterward is finally catching up to the hype.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
So while Geely’s breakthrough screams potential, the supporting cast – grid capacity, charger density, and standardization – is still catching up.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
Despite delays in previous weeks, its haulers are catching up, said Andy Wontor, a county spokesperson said.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
The turnout rate for student voters at community colleges was catching up with the rate at public four-year institutions, data suggested.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching up
Verb
-
The star ingredients of Skintimate’s Fragrance Free 2-in-1 Shave Oil + Moisturizer are ideal for creating just that, pairing vitamin E—which is both a water-attracting humectant and water-trapping emollient—along with shea, almond, and jojoba oils.—
Eden Stuart,
Allure,
29 May 2026
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People rely on the Amazon for water and the hotter, drier conditions should increase wildfire risk, Seabrook said, threatening to turn the Amazon, which now sucks heat-trapping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, into a region that worsens the problem.—
Seth Borenstein,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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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
-
Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But the mark goes beyond informing consumers.—
Roy Stephen Canivel,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
-
These efforts are also informing the design of GE Aerospace’s open-rotor engine under the Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) program.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
Verb
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Recently, researchers in Germany developed a chain-launching drone interceptor that disables UAVs by tangling their spinning rotors midair.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
-
Wrap cords using cable ties to prevent tangling and fraying.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The rookie showman is proving his mettle as part of the Caballero Circus, a five-generation family of performers, by enchanting audiences with his charismatic stage presence and sharp coordination.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
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That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
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There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In order to secure the funds, the family members submitted fake financial instruments and money orders, continuing to do so even after the IRS sent them letters telling them to stop, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
-
Especially telling is the staff’s attention to detail.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Footage released by Xinhua shows humanoid robots gripping parcels from containers and placing them onto sorting lines, while autonomous forklifts transport loads through the warehouse floor.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
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The deadly heat wave gripping northwest Europe is set to intensify in Spain and France, lifting power demand for cooling and threatening fresh temperature records.—
Joe Wertz,
Bloomberg,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catching up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching%20up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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