overtakes

Definition of overtakesnext
present tense third-person singular of overtake
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

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 overtakes 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 When exhaustion overtakes them, something more sinister comes creeping from the shadows. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026 Afterward, Agnes and I were felled by the kind of hunger that overtakes only those who have exerted themselves in cold weather. Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026 The show overtakes confrontation, less as a strategy than as a compromise no one remembers agreeing to. Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtakes
Verb
  • The pair hope the wood-fire concept catches a spark in the area.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
  • Also, Andrew Greif catches you up on the NHL playoffs, as round 2 is underway there, too.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Video of the incident shows the boy trying to scramble up the bank to safety as the beaver chases him before biting him on the thigh.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
  • In the Ring video, a person dressed in black pants and a gray T-shirt, with a gray sweatshirt draped over his shoulder, chases two dogs down a residential street, spraying them with pellets from what looks like a gel gun.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Sloane, who has increased his fastball velocity by over 10 mph since last spring and now reaches 90, hit the gym hard.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • DeVaux reaches down beneath her seat and grabs a black folder.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overtakes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtakes. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on overtakes

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster