GETTING AHEAD Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

getting ahead

phrase

present participle of get ahead

as in making it

to reach a desired level of accomplishment a recent college graduate trying to get ahead in the working world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 getting ahead In the seventh, reliever Steven Matz issued a leadoff walk to Brewers rookie Cooper Pratt after getting ahead 1-2 in the count. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 By the end of the fifth, the Dodgers had gone eight consecutive innings without scoring, and with a game plan of getting ahead before the Brewers’ vaunted bullpen could take over. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 In a constant comms environment, the race to get something out can lead to getting ahead of the content. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 With Día de Muertos just a month away, outdoor footwear manufacturer Timberland is getting ahead of the Mexican holiday celebration with the launch of a new Premium 6-Inch waterproof boot pack made up of unique styles for men and women. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 Some strategists think the market is getting ahead of itself — that yields now essentially are pricing in stronger economic growth and are overly sensitive to the vagaries of oil prices amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 Here's what scientists currently know so far, and where the hype may be getting ahead of the evidence. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Some farmers feel animosity toward the peach association for not getting ahead of the Del Monte bankruptcy and for not doing more to help farmers now that the damage has been done. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Gausman opened the following inning by getting ahead of Murakami 0-2 but followed with three straight balls, and the Sox slugger unloaded on a low fastball. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for getting ahead

Phrase

Research suggests that wildlife crossings with fencing can cut large-animal collisions by more than 80%, making it among the most effective ways to improve driver safety and wildlife connectivity, according to the Pew Research Center.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
Milwaukee pulled to 85-72 after three quarters and got the first basket of the fourth, but Towns led the way as New York quickly pushed the lead beyond 20, with consecutive 3-pointers by Anunoby making it 106-78.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of making it

Phrase

There’s no substitute for time and getting there on your own time.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
Goldman still believes in the long-term payoff, but getting there requires wading through near-term labor-market disruption that will weigh on growth before lifting it.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of getting there

Phrase

Bouchard scored twice in the second period, sparking Edmonton's rally by cutting it to 2-1 11 seconds into the frame on a long wrist shot through traffic.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Bouchard scored twice in the second, sparking Edmonton’s rally by cutting it to 2-1 11 seconds into the period on a long wrist shot through traffic.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of cutting it

Phrase

Cecil oversaw the opening of The Inn in 2001, making good, more than a century later, on his great-grandfather’s original vision for a hotel component to his country estate.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Sitting in first place in the NFC East, the Giants are banking on McCarthy making good on his growing confidence.

— CBS New York Team, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026