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
Dillard overtook Niceville in the 4×400 the night before by winning the final event for the 3A title.
—
Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Côte d’Ivoire had been Jumia’s largest market by sales but Nigeria overtook it in this year’s first quarter, Dufay said, with a 42% year-on-year growth in gross merchandise value.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 8 May 2026
Lando Norris took second, while Oscar Piastri overtook Charles Leclerc on the final lap for third.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
The jewel stayed with his son and successor, Duleep Singh, until the British Empire overtook Punjab a decade later.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
Usually in the top 10, the Chicago region overtook New York City last year for the unheralded title.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Anthropic overtook its competitor this week, surging to an approximate $1 trillion valuation.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
The flames overtook the apartment—and her with it.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Researchers found that China overtook the United States in scientific output even earlier.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Côte d’Ivoire had been Jumia’s largest market by sales but Nigeria overtook it in this year’s first quarter, Dufay said, with a 42% year-on-year growth in gross merchandise value.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 8 May 2026
Lando Norris took second, while Oscar Piastri overtook Charles Leclerc on the final lap for third.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
The jewel stayed with his son and successor, Duleep Singh, until the British Empire overtook Punjab a decade later.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026
Usually in the top 10, the Chicago region overtook New York City last year for the unheralded title.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Anthropic overtook its competitor this week, surging to an approximate $1 trillion valuation.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
The flames overtook the apartment—and her with it.
—Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Researchers found that China overtook the United States in scientific output even earlier.
—Caroline Wagner, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtook
Verb
-
The Giants have not won at home in Week 1 since Hakeem Nicks caught three touchdown passes in a 2010 win over the Carolina Panthers.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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Steyer backers Speaking of money, the second ad (or sort-of ad) that caught my attention is tied to Steyer, the billionaire who has spent more than $100 million of his own money in this race.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In April, Clarke was arrested on drug charges in Arkansas after he was chased by authorities, CBS affiliate WREG-TV reported.—
Alex Sundby,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
The bear chased other groups of visitors.—
Mark Price
May 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Vegas’ unprecedented success The Golden Knights have reached the NHL’s final four for the fifth time in nine seasons, the most of any team since 2017.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
The Warriors last reached the state final four in 2024.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtook. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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