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
If you’re caught up in the medium, not the quality?
—
The Editors, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2026
To get caught up on all ins and outs, below, find an explainer of what is going on with the big drama surrounding a little movie.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Dividend stocks and the ProShares NOBL ETF have been caught up in the recent stock market negative sentiment, down 5% in the past month but still up close to 8% over the past year.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
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
Many said they were caught up in the celebration.
—John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
The Editors, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2026
To get caught up on all ins and outs, below, find an explainer of what is going on with the big drama surrounding a little movie.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Dividend stocks and the ProShares NOBL ETF have been caught up in the recent stock market negative sentiment, down 5% in the past month but still up close to 8% over the past year.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
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
Many said they were caught up in the celebration.
—John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 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
-
In the story, a fictional scientist, Dobb, studies personoid theology and is fascinated by their struggles to understand the nature of their creator, leading to their eventual rejection of Dobb as a deity.—
Dimitris Tsementzis,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Ever since that fateful 1950s day in New Jersey when Steve Spielberg's father roused him from slumber to take a late-night rural drive out to watch a spectacular shooting star show, the legendary filmmaker has been fascinated with outer space and the mysteries of the cosmos.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
13 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
-
Ask informed questions to open useful doors.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
In a notice to parents, obtained by WFAA, district officials said the Dallas Police Department learned of the threat and informed the district on Saturday morning.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead, gently tease out roots if they’re tangled but keep that familiar soil around them.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Now, my youthful experimentations with this stretchy style weren't exactly camera ready, as it was constantly getting tangled in my thick, wavy hair.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
11 Mar. 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
-
The three young players I'm most intrigued by are third baseman Kyle Karros, first baseman TJ Rumfield, and utility player Ryan Ritter.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the head of the firm (Beau Bridges), is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Over his generous pours of cheap beer and dive-bar cocktails, aging All-Americans and national champions told stories about their old coach, mixing in laughs with the occasional Holtz imitation.—
Andrew Carter,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
-
There have been no updates in the investigation, Dalton Samek told the Star-Telegram on Sunday, March 15.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caught up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caught%20up. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
