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
Inclusion at the start costs less than catching up at the end.
—
Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
As runners chase faster times and longer distances, recovery science is catching up — and the nervous system is becoming the next frontier.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
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
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
Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
As runners chase faster times and longer distances, recovery science is catching up — and the nervous system is becoming the next frontier.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching up
Verb
-
Beyond being expensive to maintain, the dams are destructive to rivers, blocking fish habitat while warming the water, depleting oxygen levels and trapping sediment upstream.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
The mosquito trapping and testing program, coordinated by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, started on June 1 and lasts until the end of October.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
12 June 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
-
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
-
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
-
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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Kochs also lauded that the residency signals a shift in guest behavior that is informing how Claridge’s — and parent group Maybourne — think about wellness as a business.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
-
The Greenlandic government scrambled to reassure locals, informing them that Danish and other European troops would now be a permanent fixture on the island.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
15 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
-
That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Venusian themes in Fransway’s chart also extend into her personal life, as Venus, Mars and Jupiter all sit together in Leo, occupying her fourth house of home and family.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
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The flights are charters, with the pope, Vatican delegation and security occupying the front of the plane and the 70 or so journalists seated in coach.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Folks started DM'ing me on social media, telling me that J was with his ex-fling.—
Sarah Sotoodeh , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
-
The mood among players in the mixed zone was telling.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catching up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching%20up. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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