overtake
Americanverb (used with object)
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to catch up with in traveling or pursuit; draw even with.
By taking a cab to the next town, we managed to overtake and board the train.
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to catch up with and pass, as in a race; move by.
He overtook the leader three laps from the finish.
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to move ahead of in achievement, production, score, etc.; surpass.
to overtake all other countries in steel production.
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to happen to or befall someone suddenly or unexpectedly, as night, a storm, or death.
The pounding rainstorm overtook them just outside the city.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to move past (another vehicle or person) travelling in the same direction
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(tr) to pass or do better than, after catching up with
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(tr) to come upon suddenly or unexpectedly
night overtook him
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(tr) to catch up with; draw level with
Other Word Forms
- unovertaken adjective
Etymology
Origin of overtake
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English overtaken; over-, take
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Earlier this week, data from industry ratings body Barb suggested YouTube had overtaken the BBC for the first time at the end of last year in terms of monthly audience reach.
From BBC
On the other side are David Ellison and his billionaire father, Larry Ellison, who already have close ties to the White House and are trying to overtake Netflix’s deal with one from Paramount Skydance.
Spain's Alcaraz overtook the Italian to top the world rankings again at the end of the year.
From Barron's
The court was told a witness saw Colville's white Ford Focus pull away at speed after overtaking her.
From BBC
Accelerate gently and drive slowly, and be especially cautious around high-sided vehicles and when overtaking.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
