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
Even more could be catching up the following morning.
—
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2026
This week’s adventures in dining were a bit of a mixed bag of Lenten fish fry, catching up with a friend and fulfilling a craving.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
As more homeowners get wise to these potentially devastating impacts, the non-toxic paint industry is catching up.
—Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2026
That’s getting a bit ahead of things, since Young has a long way to go in her American notoriety catching up with her already saturation-level appeal back home.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
The Census Bureau is still catching up on data releases following delays caused by last year’s government shutdown.
—Reuters
wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
But the rules of the game have changed fast enough that even people 30 years into their careers are still catching up.
—Dennis Kozak, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
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
Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2026
This week’s adventures in dining were a bit of a mixed bag of Lenten fish fry, catching up with a friend and fulfilling a craving.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2026
As more homeowners get wise to these potentially devastating impacts, the non-toxic paint industry is catching up.
—Maya Ibbitson, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2026
That’s getting a bit ahead of things, since Young has a long way to go in her American notoriety catching up with her already saturation-level appeal back home.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
The Census Bureau is still catching up on data releases following delays caused by last year’s government shutdown.
—Reuters
wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
But the rules of the game have changed fast enough that even people 30 years into their careers are still catching up.
—Dennis Kozak, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching up
Verb
-
The blaze quickly extended to Engine 79’s firetruck and spread to the first-floor staircase, trapping firefighters upstairs.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
By trapping radiation from the Sun and from deep space, our planet’s magnetic field is part of what makes Earth habitable for us and other life forms.—
Scott Solomon,
The Conversation,
27 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
-
After the collision, the controller could be heard calling out to Flight 8646, informing the crew that assistance was on the way.—
Colleen Mondor,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The Cubs also finalized their opening-day pitching staff Monday by optioning right-hander Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa and informing right-hander Ben Brown that he will be used out of the bullpen.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Its hot water wash dissolves stubborn grease on the mop pads, while its specialized Curv design prevents long hair from tangling around the brushes.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The instinctive Moon opposes jovial Jupiter, tangling your 10th House of Ambition with your 4th House of Comfort.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 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
-
Because there’s no telling how many times this bell will ring before changes are ushered in.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
American Airlines is telling you why your flight is delayed.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The audio tour, narrated by former guards and inmates, is genuinely gripping for older kids.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
When Georgia Tech baseball coach James Ramsey came to watch Vahn Lackey play as a senior at Collins Hill, Lackey wasn’t gripping the bat correctly.—
Sarah Spencer,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catching up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching%20up. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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