overtake

verb

over·​take ˌō-vər-ˈtāk 

overtook ˌō-vər-ˈtu̇k  ; overtaken ˌō-vər-ˈtā-kən  ; overtaking

transitive verb

1

a

: to catch up with

b

: to catch up with and pass by

2

: to come upon suddenly

Synonyms of overtake

• catch
• chase
• reach

Examples of overtake in a Sentence

She overtook the other runners and went on to win the race.

The sign says “No Overtaking.”

Seasickness can overtake passengers when the ship encounters a storm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Thomas will overtake Vladimir Tarasenko as the fifth all-time points leader for the Blues. — Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

In the chaotic moment, water rushed inside, eventually overtaking multiple makeshift barriers made of laundry that appeared to have been used to slow the initial flow of water. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Though the first Voyager launched has a 16-day, 9-million-mile head start, Voyager 1 will overtake its sister probe in November — flying a course that will bring it to an encounter with Jupiter in March 1979. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2026

In fact, the probe actually overtook Voyager 2 on the way to Jupiter and arrived their first for a flyby in March 1979. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from over entry 1 + taken to take

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for overtake

• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• undertake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake

Kids Definition

overtake

verb

over·​take ˌō-vər-ˈtāk 

overtook -ˈtu̇k  ; overtaken -ˈtā-kən  ; overtaking

1

a

: to catch up with

b

: to catch up with and pass by

2

: to come upon suddenly

a blizzard overtook the hunting party