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
Acuff overtook Isaiah Joe's 13-game run in the 2018-19 season.
—
Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 6 Jan. 2026
Only Sir Don Bradman has scored more runs in Ashes cricket after Smith overtook Sir Jack Hobbs in the all-time list.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Despite having a plentiful clientele, the bills overtook them in summer 2025, Andrew Perre said.
—Timia Cobb
breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Our progressive values sort of overtook common sense.
—ABC News, 4 Jan. 2026
By daybreak, an uneasy calm overtook the city of more than 3 million.
—Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
In 2023, India officially overtook China as the world’s most populous country.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Ellison briefly overtook Musk as the world’s richest man in September, after his business software company reported unexpectedly strong financial results.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025
In the first half of 2025, renewables overtook coal as the world’s top energy source for the first time.
—John D. Sutter, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 6 Jan. 2026
Only Sir Don Bradman has scored more runs in Ashes cricket after Smith overtook Sir Jack Hobbs in the all-time list.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Despite having a plentiful clientele, the bills overtook them in summer 2025, Andrew Perre said.
—Timia Cobb
breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Our progressive values sort of overtook common sense.
—ABC News, 4 Jan. 2026
By daybreak, an uneasy calm overtook the city of more than 3 million.
—Mery Mogollon, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
In 2023, India officially overtook China as the world’s most populous country.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Ellison briefly overtook Musk as the world’s richest man in September, after his business software company reported unexpectedly strong financial results.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025
In the first half of 2025, renewables overtook coal as the world’s top energy source for the first time.
—John D. Sutter, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtook
Verb
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Police previously said a 2011 Infiniti G37 sedan crashed on the I-30 service road and caught fire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Gonzalez chased her down, punched her several times and then dragged her back to the truck, police said.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
5 Jan. 2026
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That’s been the case this season, too, even as Nacua and Davante Adams have chased the NFL lead in receiving yards and touchdowns.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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James Guillory / Imagn Images The Buffalo Sabres’ season has reached another tipping point.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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No conclusions have yet been reached as to the cause of the crash, and enquiries and analysis are ongoing.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overtook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtook. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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