as in catching
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 overtaking
Consider, too, the new, favorite analytic stat of big plays that’s overtaking turnovers in some circles as the best predictor of wins and losses.
—
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Traffic is overtaking the collision by using the right shoulder.
—Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 7 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
But the main reason to grow mint in a container is to keep it from overtaking your garden!
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, the striking shrub spreads by roots and seeds, overtaking native plants.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Food Lion came close to overtaking Harris Teeter one other time, in 2020, with a nearly $88 million separation.
—Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Jokic has a strong case for his offensive prowess, but missing 16 games will prevent him from overtaking Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, leaving him likely third, ahead of the Lakers’ Luka Doncic.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Traffic is overtaking the collision by using the right shoulder.
—Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 7 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
But the main reason to grow mint in a container is to keep it from overtaking your garden!
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, the striking shrub spreads by roots and seeds, overtaking native plants.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026
Food Lion came close to overtaking Harris Teeter one other time, in 2020, with a nearly $88 million separation.
—Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
Jokic has a strong case for his offensive prowess, but missing 16 games will prevent him from overtaking Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, leaving him likely third, ahead of the Lakers’ Luka Doncic.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtaking
Verb
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The designs are eye catching and beautiful, inspired by South Florida's beaches and ocean water.—
Najahe Sherman,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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With offensive coordinator Brad Idzik taking over play-calling, the Panthers have a much more pressing need for pass-catching playmakers than backfield bodies.—
Mike Kaye
April 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kahan is from the Upper Valley, a quaint and seasonally verdant region encompassing parts of eastern Vermont and western New Hampshire, and sliced through by the Connecticut River—a scenic haven for canoers and for anglers chasing trout.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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The Santa Rosa Police Department said in a press release that dispatchers received multiple 911 calls about a female suspect with a large knife chasing people near the Safeway store and attempting to stab them.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bart argues that such promotion has a salutary social function, reaching people in underserved communities who might not otherwise be aware that they are entitled to aggressive, contingency-fee advocacy.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Suzuki opened the scoring with his 29th goal of the season, reaching the 100-point mark for the first time in his career.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtaking. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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