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
Relevance
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
During that flood event, 10 campers died when a bus evacuating them from a summer camp near Comfort, Texas, was overtaken by floodwaters.
—
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
More than a month’s worth of rain dumped on the area, and floodwaters overtook the site.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
In starvation, the person experiencing limerence does not find reciprocity and experiences a great feeling of loss, which overtakes the intensity of the attraction.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 5 July 2025
But Trump administration officials said that assessment was low confidence and had been overtaken by intelligence showing Iran's nuclear program was severely damaged.
—Phil Stewart, USA Today, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
More than a month’s worth of rain dumped on the area, and floodwaters overtook the site.
—Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
In starvation, the person experiencing limerence does not find reciprocity and experiences a great feeling of loss, which overtakes the intensity of the attraction.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 5 July 2025
But Trump administration officials said that assessment was low confidence and had been overtaken by intelligence showing Iran's nuclear program was severely damaged.
—Phil Stewart, USA Today, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake
Verb
-
The outsoles are made with reliable rubber treads to provide vital traction on slick city streets and beyond, and the sleek leather exteriors will remain in pristine shape even if you get caught in an unexpected rainstorm.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 July 2025
-
The goal of catching medical issues early is part of the clinic’s founding ethos.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.—
Mike Stunson
July 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
-
And that’s what all three of these companies are chasing: trust, at scale.—
Olumuyiwa Olowogboyega,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
As severe storms grow more frequent and unpredictable, keeping these alerts enabled could mean the difference between reaching safety and being caught off guard.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
10 July 2025
-
Nvidia on Wednesday became the first company in history to reach a $4 trillion valuation.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share