1
as in trapped
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 fascinated
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 interested
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 informed
to give information to
catch me up on what's been happening at the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of caught up
Rather than risk being caught up at the crowded airport in Dubai, McKane and his friends rented a car and drove to the Oman border.
—
Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
During the fete, guests caught up over coffee and cocktails and posed for photos on the palatial marble staircase.
—Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
The California Highway Patrol caught up with Spears and initiated the investigation, the sources said.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
As he got caught up, Spoelstra reflected back to the movie Miracle, which celebrated what stands etched as the miracle-on-ice victory of the United States over the then-USSR and eventual gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
The two caught up briefly prior to tipoff, sharing an embrace and exchanging a few pleasantries before White had to get back to his pregame preparations.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
Many said they were caught up in the celebration.
—John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Cybersecurity stocks have gotten caught up in the software trade as well.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
Or the laws passed by Congress have not caught up.
—CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
During the fete, guests caught up over coffee and cocktails and posed for photos on the palatial marble staircase.
—Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
The California Highway Patrol caught up with Spears and initiated the investigation, the sources said.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
As he got caught up, Spoelstra reflected back to the movie Miracle, which celebrated what stands etched as the miracle-on-ice victory of the United States over the then-USSR and eventual gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
The two caught up briefly prior to tipoff, sharing an embrace and exchanging a few pleasantries before White had to get back to his pregame preparations.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2026
Many said they were caught up in the celebration.
—John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Cybersecurity stocks have gotten caught up in the software trade as well.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
Or the laws passed by Congress have not caught up.
—CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caught up
Verb
-
If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
-
If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spielberg has been fascinated by the UFO topic his whole career, with his 1977 classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind still considered by many to be the most compelling dramatization of the subject.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Shawn, too, is wracked and fascinated by the human ability to smile and smile and be a villain.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
These stories are not only fun to read, but also provide valuable information about ideas that interested early Christians.—
Christy Cobb,
The Conversation,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The character that interested me was (his alter ego) Norman Osborn.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Across the sprawling 13,000-square-foot residence, art, antiques, and collectible design objects come together in a confident mix informed by instinct, memory, and everyday use.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Lessons from other incidents informed the response to the Sixth Street shooting, Mallon said.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The two will be twisted and tangled for all time — plenty of T-shirts commemorate the catch — with the Series secured in Pages’ glove.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
If travel plans or deliveries get tangled, confirm details ASAP, before problems get any bigger.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Irvi was enchanted and unnerved by Oaxaca’s clear blue skies, unmarred by skyscrapers.—
Caitlin Dickerson,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Along with the clear Bowie and Orbison inspiration, the album’s influences reflect the tastes of someone recently enchanted by the romance of California.—
Millan Verma,
Pitchfork,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But he was intrigued that George Washington appointed Adams to his first diplomatic post and Adams later served in Congress with Abe Lincoln.—
Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Spoelstra, who has been named the head coach of Team USA for the Los Angeles Games, is intrigued by that possibility.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Devin Lloyd, the Jacksonville Jaguars inside linebacker who spent 2025 compiling one of the most impressive stat-lines in the NFL, agreed to a 3-year, $45 million deal, a league source told The Observer.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Mar. 2026
-
On Monday morning, Brandon Bailey, who flew into LAX from Texas, told The Times that the potential increase will leave a hole in his travel budget.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caught up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caught%20up. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
