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
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
Media outlets are catching up to our latest Linde thesis.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
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
Media outlets are catching up to our latest Linde thesis.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching up
Verb
-
Yet scientists realized that something has been dissolving those calcite shells and releasing carbon dioxide, reducing the ocean’s carbon-trapping capacity.—
Damien Pine,
Scientific American,
15 May 2026
-
Quince's Lightweight European Linen Box Quilt features a front woven from 100% European flax, a backing of soft cotton, and a lightweight cotton batting fill that adds just enough comfort without trapping heat.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 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
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The indictment also alleges that Cuba's intelligence agency tasked a network of spies in Florida with informing on Brothers to the Rescue.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Jones emailed Westworth Village residents informing them of potential election disturbances.—
Maven Navarro,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 May 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
-
That studio bosses of today don’t care about enchanting audiences.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Equally enchanting this fashion month were Celine’s colorful leather pouches—particularly in cobalt blue, a trending hue—as seen on Ramya Giangola and Yumi Shin below.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
27 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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While in the clinic, behind the gee-wizardry of the modern diagnostics and next-generation medications, the practice of endocrinology remains rooted in one person telling their story and the other trying to interpret it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Her boyfriend, who had cuts to his arms and face, called 911, telling dispatch that someone had dropped a rock from the overpass.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Throughout the gripping family drama, starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve as evangelical religious figures and parents of five who get caught in a nightmare with Norwegian Child Services, the rapt audience in the Grand Théâtre Lumière barely made a sound.—
Jada Yuan,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2026
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The authors found distinctive puncture marks, skeletal damage and dismemberment patterns, all of which were consistent with an apex predator that immobilizes prey through concentrated gripping force, rather than prolonged tearing or chewing.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catching up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching%20up. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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