Definition of overtakenext
as in to catch
to move fast enough to get even with she had to hurry to overtake her friends, who had forgotten their umbrellas the thunderstorm overtook them suddenly

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 overtake D’Amaro, a 28-year Disney veteran, has for the last five years been running the parks and experiences side of Disney, which has overtaken the entertainment wing as the company’s profit engine. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026 Madness has certainly overtaken the Middle East. Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 But this shortage arrives just as the semiconductor industry has become the largest consumer of helium, overtaking MRI scanners in recent years. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2026 In the 1,600 years since this Christian missionary and bishop made his mark in Ireland, the cult and mythology surrounding him has overtaken the man himself. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overtake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake
Verb
  • From the kitchen, guests can catch glimpses of Hatch Cove, and in the afternoon, enjoy cocktails on the large backyard deck that overlooks original stone walls and towering trees.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Right now, some of the best spots to catch beautiful bluebonnet displays are around Brenham, Ennis, and the Hill Country.
    Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • She was being pursued viciously by the paparazzi, and here was somebody who was literally chased to death by the paparazzi.
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
  • What could have been just a mimicry of, say, Edward Norton in American History X becomes something distinctly pitiable and unnerving on its own terms, and Gosling chased the heights of this tormented-20-something performance for a long time, up until the next film on our list.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • High temperatures on Thursday reach the low 60s after Tuesday and Wednesday only warm into the 50s.
    Gregory Padgett, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Golden’s Gators needed another one to reach the Sweet 16 again.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.

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