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
Each new layer of ambition justifies a higher valuation, but the economics have not yet caught up with the narrative.
—
Rory McDonald, Fortune, 6 June 2026
Vinh suggested that the Broadcom reversal indicates that market expectations have caught up with the chip sector run.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Given the heightened security, soccer fans will likely feel safe, but locals caught up in the violence are still disappearing.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
As the incumbent mayor, Bass had accumulated a significant war chest for the campaign, but Pratt rapidly caught up.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Tributes at Charlotte Motor Speedway quickly popped up and memories from his fellow competitors came fast as the emotions caught up with much of the racing world.
—Dianne Gallagher, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
But once everyone else caught up, Busch and RCR lagged behind.
—Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
When Cole caught up with O’Day one day that season, the submariner raved about Bello.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Some experts argue the science hasn’t caught up to the marketing.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Rory McDonald, Fortune, 6 June 2026
Vinh suggested that the Broadcom reversal indicates that market expectations have caught up with the chip sector run.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Given the heightened security, soccer fans will likely feel safe, but locals caught up in the violence are still disappearing.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
As the incumbent mayor, Bass had accumulated a significant war chest for the campaign, but Pratt rapidly caught up.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
Tributes at Charlotte Motor Speedway quickly popped up and memories from his fellow competitors came fast as the emotions caught up with much of the racing world.
—Dianne Gallagher, CNN Money, 23 May 2026
But once everyone else caught up, Busch and RCR lagged behind.
—Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
When Cole caught up with O’Day one day that season, the submariner raved about Bello.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026
Some experts argue the science hasn’t caught up to the marketing.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caught up
Verb
-
Shakespeare’s comedies especially understand the joy of watching people get trapped in schemes and plots well beyond their control.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
-
The economy has been devastated, and many feel trapped between a government with no mercy and a future with no clear path forward.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Jim Jacoby, another Atlanta developer, was also fascinated by the Atlantic Steel property, leading their paths to intersect.—
Kelly Yamanouchi,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
-
He was fascinated by Fey's scar When Fey was 5 years old, she was attacked by a stranger while outside of her home in Upper Darby, Penn.—
Desiree Ossandon,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
To my surprise, that interested him—most men wouldn’t have wanted to hear about it.—
Joyce Johnson,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
-
Around the same time, Barwick and his then-student, Peter Haine, independently came up with a slightly different definition in order to answer a particular question in category theory that interested them.—
Konstantin Kakaes,
Quanta Magazine,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
The Sabres announced Meehan’s death on Saturday after being informed by a member of his family.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
Gilpin's own experience as a parent — who did not give birth in an office — informed Sydney's life-changing scene too.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
Representative Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley are tangled in a bitter contest that’s headed to a runoff on June 16.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
29 May 2026
-
The Thunder’s history on May 28 is troubled and tangled.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Then take a ride on Shrek & Fiona’s Happily Ogre After to hear how an ogre and a princess were enchanted by love.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
-
But Crowther’s sleuthing determines that Joyce’s novel was a regular companion of hers, and she was particularly enchanted with Molly Bloom’s closing soliloquy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
And then the story of Maciel came around, and his story intrigued me tremendously.—
Helen Acevedo,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
-
Although the article’s author branded Müller’s machine an obvious hoax, Feaster was intrigued.—
Ron Cowen,
Scientific American,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
In March, Swiss food producer Nestlé told USA TODAY that thieves stole an entire truck containing more than 12 tons of KitKat chocolate bars in Europe.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
City attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite told council members the moratorium cannot be applied to projects that were already approved because of constraints within state law.—
Mary Ramsey
Updated June 8,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caught up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caught%20up. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
