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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 overtook
In the first quarter of 2024, the United States narrowly overtook China as South Korea’s largest export market in 2024, in part a result of the Yoon administration’s encouragement of South Korean firms to move their operations out of China.
—
Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
If a wildfire overtook the lab, or Russia launched an attack on New Mexico, which represents the nexus of America’s nuclear-weapons complex, there would not be much for a lab technician to do.
—Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
During the pandemic, her passion and equipment overtook the backyard.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Assad fled to Moscow earlier this month after opposition forces overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
There were times when his constant needs overtook my life.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
An American citizen detained in Syria was freed Thursday after rebels overtook the city of Damascus, toppling the rule of President Bashar Assad and releasing thousands from imprisonment according to The Associated Press.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
He was taken captive while the nation was under the rule of President Bashar Assad but freed when rebels overtook the city of Damascus.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
Frozen seafood was the norm, even before online shopping overtook supermarket visits.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
If a wildfire overtook the lab, or Russia launched an attack on New Mexico, which represents the nexus of America’s nuclear-weapons complex, there would not be much for a lab technician to do.
—Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
During the pandemic, her passion and equipment overtook the backyard.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
Assad fled to Moscow earlier this month after opposition forces overtook Syria in a surprise attack, ending his family’s five decades of rule.
—Mary Clare Jalonick, Los Angeles Times, 25 Dec. 2024
There were times when his constant needs overtook my life.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024
An American citizen detained in Syria was freed Thursday after rebels overtook the city of Damascus, toppling the rule of President Bashar Assad and releasing thousands from imprisonment according to The Associated Press.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
He was taken captive while the nation was under the rule of President Bashar Assad but freed when rebels overtook the city of Damascus.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
Frozen seafood was the norm, even before online shopping overtook supermarket visits.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near overtook
Cite this Entry
“Overtook.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtook. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share