1
as in traps
to catch or hold as if in a net
a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fascinates
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in interests
to hold the attention of
so caught up in the game that she didn't note the passage of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in advises
to give information to
catch me up on what's been happening at the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catches up
The suburban father, who had been living a double-life as a cold-blooded hitman for years, is beginning to question his life and actions as his past catches up with him and his memory fails to serve him due to the early onset of dementia.
—
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Until science catches up, traffic safety wins.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, the Giannis competition catches up in the offseason, when teams like Miami can suddenly tap into more first-rounders and, as such, present a package that might surpass what Golden State has out there now.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But when his past catches up with him, he is confronted with the ultimate test.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Marty also catches up with Tap’s concert promoter, Simon Howler (Chris Addison), who shares his new ideas and catches up with Nigel about some old ideas.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The new 10-episode season — its 14th — is streaming now on Hulu and catches up with the Hill family in a vastly different America.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026
Until science catches up, traffic safety wins.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, the Giannis competition catches up in the offseason, when teams like Miami can suddenly tap into more first-rounders and, as such, present a package that might surpass what Golden State has out there now.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But when his past catches up with him, he is confronted with the ultimate test.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Marty also catches up with Tap’s concert promoter, Simon Howler (Chris Addison), who shares his new ideas and catches up with Nigel about some old ideas.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The new 10-episode season — its 14th — is streaming now on Hulu and catches up with the Hill family in a vastly different America.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches up
Verb
-
This continental collision gave rise to the Zagros Mountains, which push down on the Arabian plate in a way that has created a basin in Earth’s crust that traps hydrocarbons—hence, all that oil and gas.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
12 Mar. 2026
-
His handle is both his redeeming trait and what traps him in the half court.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Each, in different ways, fascinates me.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
That singular point of view fascinates me.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And along with gender and empowerment, there’s also something about having bright colors and a lot of grief on stage that interests me.—
Jared Kaufman,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Supreme Court only grants review to about 1% of petitions, but one scenario where the odds are higher involves federal circuit splits—especially when the number of people impacted is considerable and when the legal question interests the justices.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
To reduce the chances of snakes around your home, TPWD advises keeping your lawn trimmed low and removing brush, woodpiles, rocks, and debris where snakes and rodents may hide.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Nationwide advises talking to your tax preparer to determine whether this strategy makes sense for you.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wire pin or slicker brushes work best for dogs with long hair that tangles easily.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ella has shades of Holly Hunter's intense, workaholic producer Jane from Brooks' 1987 masterpiece Broadcast News, the smartest person in any room who both exhausts and enchants everyone around her.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
12 Dec. 2025
-
By bringing these three gestures together, Killam fashions a method that repairs, strengthens, and re-enchants the invisible social fabric that sustains us.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Hopefully, there’s a spot that intrigues you.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The menu has a lot of delicious choices, but the one that intrigues my girlfriend is their overnight oat bowl.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rizo tells Ozzy about his Idol, cementing their polycule.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The book, being published by Doubleday and Pan Macmillan, tells the true story of Zac Brettler, a London teenager who died under mysterious circumstances in 2019.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catches up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catches%20up. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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