overtaking

verb

present participle of overtake
as in catching
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 overtaking That puts Brand New Day just $44 million shy of overtaking James Cameron’s Oscar-winning 1997 hit, something Brand New Day should easily manage in a week or so. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026 While Anthropic looks to be overtaking OpenAI at the moment, OpenAI is still solidly stitched into the fabric of the AI buildout, and analysts don’t think the company is going anywhere. — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026 Burger King has reclaimed its place as America’s second-largest burger chain, overtaking Wendy’s and trailing only McDonald’s in sales. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 Combining their charter fleets will move them to the sixth spot, overtaking PlaneSense and closing on fifth-place flyExclusive. — Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The sleepy Silicon Valley enclave has reclaimed its title as the country’s most expensive ZIP code, overtaking Miami’s Fisher Island after home prices surged during the first half of the year. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026 Right now, banana lattes are having a moment, overtaking matcha as the internet’s drink of choice. — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2026 While Chicago’s postseason probabilities are high, its chances of overtaking Milwaukee in the National League Central are low, meaning the Cubs are unlikely to receive a first-round bye. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 30 July 2026 And with watermelons overtaking the markets right now, there’s no better time to join in. — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtaking
  1. catching
  2. chasing
  3. reaching
Verb
  • There was no catching the Redhawks on this night with Hayes playing like a world-beater.
    — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • During the show, he was filmed skiing to the South Pole, catching a giant anaconda, milking a venomous tarantula and diving under the ice of the North Pole.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of catching
Verb
  • Rather than chasing virality and social media hits, Obeid advises restaurants to focus deeper on creating businesses that fulfill a need for the community around them.
    — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For small business owners, partnering with mid-tier creators is likely a better bet than chasing celebrity endorsements.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of chasing
Verb
  • Unlike Webb, which suffered many years of delays before reaching space, Roman arrived at the launch pad nine months before NASA’s commitment to send it skyward by May 2027.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Stronger winds are possible along the eastern Texas coast, with gusts potentially reaching tropical-storm strength near the coast and in Chambers County.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of reaching

Browse Nearby Words

overtakes
overtaking
overtax
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Cite this Entry

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

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