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 The airline now commands roughly 20% more revenue per seat than its competitors, and premium cabin revenue is on the verge of overtaking main cabin for the first time in the company’s 100-year history. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026 However, Jim, who has been a fan of Benioff for years, thinks Salesforce needs to figure out a way to change the narrative that has overtaken the market. Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026 The end had come, the last ounce of effort expended, and the pride was slowly overtaking the pain. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026 Traffic is overtaking the collision by using the right shoulder. Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overtake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake
Verb
  • Ravensbergen is a rare southpaw as a right-catching goalie (coincidentally, as is Askarov).
    Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • But most patients don’t notice a flea bite before catching typhus.
    Don Sweeney April 8, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Some observers suggest that seekers aren’t chasing hollow shortcuts online.
    Lucy Jones April 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The couple had spent the past decade sailing together, charting a life across open water — learning to scuba dive, chasing marine life and finding meaning in the quiet, in-between moments at sea.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Signaling progress in the peace talks, Axios reported that Washington and Tehran were engaged in discussions mediated by some Gulf states for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could end the conflict, although the odds for reaching a partial deal before the Tuesday deadline were slim.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Until 1991, no storm on record reached that rate.
    Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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