OVERTAKE Synonyms: 10 Similar and Opposite Words

overtake

verb

ˌō-vər-ˈtāk

Definition of overtake

as in to catch

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fall short

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of overtake Can a squad of scientists (including Kurt Russell) fight off madness and mayhem before the Thing overtakes them all? — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 In 2020, the Pentagon assessed that China had overtaken the United States to become the world’s largest navy by number of battle-force ships. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026 McCutcheon’s third goal of the season — Orlando’s earliest goal of 2026 — came courtesy of Barbra Banda, who had been leading the league in goals until being overtaken by Ashley Sanchez of North Carolina. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026 The immersive doc captures the duality of an extreme lifestyle with the euphoric highs of intercepting a tornado to the terrifying lows of being overtaken by one inside their vehicle as Timmer pushes his mind and body to the limit. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overtake

Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake

Verb

Salas, 20, should soon become the youngest player to catch a big-league game since Ivan Rodriguez debuted with the Texas Rangers in 1991.

— Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Fortunately, one of the most sensitive detectors ever constructed was buried there to catch that fleeting glow and record the neutrinos’ ghostly presence.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of catch

Verb

The North American box office is still chasing the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, and despite a blockbuster summer, ticket sales are still lagging.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
That’s some serious currency for Mahomes to be taking into Season 10 with so much still in front of him — both in terms of years to play, presumably, and goals to chase.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of chase

Verb

Chelsea have also reached a verbal agreement with Como to loan goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to the Serie A club for a season.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
The river is in severe drought, and water levels at two major reservoirs on the river recently reached record lows.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of reach

Browse Nearby Words

overt

overtake

overtaken

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of overtake

verb

Example Sentences

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