as in catches
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
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Recent Examples of overtakes
Devers remains the most important piston in the engine block, but the time might be fast approaching when Eldridge overtakes him.
—
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 June 2026
This milestone overtakes rival OpenAI’s valuation.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Motorway overtakes require a firm prod of the throttle, while the automatic gearbox can occasionally hesitate before responding.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
As regenerative agriculture overtakes traditional organic labels in popularity, Lewkowitz highlighted the unique challenges American growers face.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026
That way, no plant overtakes another.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
If hairy bittercress overtakes your lawn, mow frequently in early spring to remove as many flowers as possible.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
The convergence of Iowa State fans to Power & Light or the sea of blue that overtakes downtown this week or the plethora of NBA general managers in the front rows offered enough of a reminder that Kansas City didn’t need.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Paranoia overtakes several players who vie for protection.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 June 2026
This milestone overtakes rival OpenAI’s valuation.
—Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Motorway overtakes require a firm prod of the throttle, while the automatic gearbox can occasionally hesitate before responding.
—Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
As regenerative agriculture overtakes traditional organic labels in popularity, Lewkowitz highlighted the unique challenges American growers face.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026
That way, no plant overtakes another.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 17 Apr. 2026
If hairy bittercress overtakes your lawn, mow frequently in early spring to remove as many flowers as possible.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
The convergence of Iowa State fans to Power & Light or the sea of blue that overtakes downtown this week or the plethora of NBA general managers in the front rows offered enough of a reminder that Kansas City didn’t need.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Paranoia overtakes several players who vie for protection.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtakes
Verb
-
And yes, their whiskey brand catches the cultural residue of that relationship with purpose.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
Jalen Brunson shakes free of a couple of defenders, including the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, the league's Defensive Player of the Year, and catches the inbounds pass near midcourt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Or during the Season 2 finale, when the tension between the two former friends comes to a head and Maddy chases Cassie down, slapping her and slamming her into a wall.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Rue then flees the home as Wayne chases her with a shotgun.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 June 2026
-
Avoid overhead sprinklers and choose soaker hoses, drip irrigation, or hand-watering so that water is delivered low and slow and reaches the roots.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtakes. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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