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
Many popular landscape shrubs grow a foot or two a year, quickly overtaking everything around them.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
And besides, Apple still has the largest share of the smartphone market worldwide, with only Samsung realistically capable of overtaking it any time soon.
—Dominic Preston, The Verge, 25 Apr. 2026
Although some sod was recently laid, the rest of the park is so neglected that weeds are already overtaking it.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
EVs now make up almost 40% of Vietnam’s car sales, overtaking the EU average, according to energy think tank Ember.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
The Stars were close to overtaking the Avalanche last month before a late fade.
—Dave Campbell, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
Proper planning and maintenance prevent these plants from overtaking and becoming invasive.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 12 Apr. 2026
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
Traffic is overtaking the collision by using the right shoulder.
—Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
And besides, Apple still has the largest share of the smartphone market worldwide, with only Samsung realistically capable of overtaking it any time soon.
—Dominic Preston, The Verge, 25 Apr. 2026
Although some sod was recently laid, the rest of the park is so neglected that weeds are already overtaking it.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
EVs now make up almost 40% of Vietnam’s car sales, overtaking the EU average, according to energy think tank Ember.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
The Stars were close to overtaking the Avalanche last month before a late fade.
—Dave Campbell, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2026
Proper planning and maintenance prevent these plants from overtaking and becoming invasive.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 12 Apr. 2026
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
Traffic is overtaking the collision by using the right shoulder.
—Hedija Spahalic, Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtaking
Verb
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The Chicago White Sox have been searching for offensive production from the catching position.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Sophomore Nate Roberts is a 6-5, 240-pounder who has blocking experience and showed off versatility catching passes in the spring.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That makes their key players especially appealing for managers chasing rank or mini-league glory.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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The book's main character — Cheese — was inspired by her real-life rescue dog, who was known for chasing squirrels and bringing energy into her life.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Although an invasion was unlikely, an aged Washington threw himself into preventing the French Revolution from reaching American shores.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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On current plans, Europe’s defense annual spending is set to almost double by 2030, reaching nearly $750 billion.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtaking. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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