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 So Nvidia’s getting ahead of the whole debacle to find the next pool of money. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 Not getting ahead of ourselves, Barça needs to think of the here and now in terms of squad planning. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Erceg appeared to shake it off, quickly getting ahead of Royce Lewis 0-2 in the count. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 July 2026 To these teens, the stakes for getting ahead of AI are clear. — Cory Turner, NPR, 30 July 2026 Speaker Mike Johnson is getting ahead of another potential shutdown that could be politically risky for Republicans. — Jarrell Dillard, Washington Post, 17 July 2026 For many South Floridians, however, getting ahead financially feels easier said than done. — Bonnie Laden, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for getting ahead

Phrase

Elon Musk will be remembered for many things, but his purchase of X and making it an open platform stands out.

— Fortune Editors, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
Arraez was named an All-Star for the fourth time after making it in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of making it

Phrase

The case for reparations is grounded in the fact that there is a universe bigger than a Black person’s, and getting there means establishing an ongoing material and social plan for racial reckoning.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
Each took slightly different paths in getting there, but the end result at this to the leadup of the season matches.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026

Definition of getting there

Phrase

Slap added that the registry could help make post-secondary education more accessible by making good information widely available to prospective students in the state.

— Kat Ramkumar, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Real readiness comes from time behind the wheel, merging into fast-moving lanes, reacting to other drivers’ mistakes and making good decisions when conditions are less than ideal.

— David Etue, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026