as in caught
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 overtook
Erceg quickly overtook Carlos Estévez as Kansas City’s closer, but his peripherals suggest a shaky ride lies ahead.
—
Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Acuff overtook Day for the most points in an SEC game, but Day still has the record for steals in a league game -- seven against Vanderbilt in 1992.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026
This prediction bore out around 2020, when China’s warhead stockpiles overtook those of France.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
On March 19, the 87-degree high overtook the earlier record of 81 set in 2015.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The Tigers choked a double-digit AL Central lead last season but still managed to get to the American League Division Series after defeating the same team who overtook them in the standings in the Cleveland Guardians.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
And with no buffalo for food, unregulated hunting of everything else overtook the rest of the wild game.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Apple overtook Samsung as the world's top smartphone seller in 2024, ending its roughly 12-year run atop the market.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Steph Curry's family film GOAT overtook Wuthering Heights at the weekend's domestic box office.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Acuff overtook Day for the most points in an SEC game, but Day still has the record for steals in a league game -- seven against Vanderbilt in 1992.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2026
This prediction bore out around 2020, when China’s warhead stockpiles overtook those of France.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
On March 19, the 87-degree high overtook the earlier record of 81 set in 2015.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The Tigers choked a double-digit AL Central lead last season but still managed to get to the American League Division Series after defeating the same team who overtook them in the standings in the Cleveland Guardians.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026
And with no buffalo for food, unregulated hunting of everything else overtook the rest of the wild game.
—Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026
Apple overtook Samsung as the world's top smartphone seller in 2024, ending its roughly 12-year run atop the market.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Steph Curry's family film GOAT overtook Wuthering Heights at the weekend's domestic box office.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtook
Verb
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His passion for off-roading and extreme competition now extends to his two sons, who have caught the Currie racing fervor.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Read the story of the angler who caught 19 pounds of largemouth on one cast.—
Derek Horner,
Outdoor Life,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to officials, Sergeant Carlos Arias and Officer Edwin Ruiz got out of their vehicle and chased Muse on foot.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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That outburst from the Twins effectively chased lefty ace Garrett Crochet from the game.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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McDavid reached 1,220 career points, passing Jeremy Roenick, Larry Murphy and Jean Beliveau to advance to 47th on the NHL list.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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The Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) and the United Steelworkers union have reached a tentative agreement, two weeks after the utility locked out 1,600 workers amid a contract dispute.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtook. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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