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View synonyms for overtake

overtake

[ oh-ver-teyk ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·took [oh-ver-, took], o·ver·tak·en, o·ver·tak·ing.
  1. 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.

  2. to catch up with and pass, as in a race; move by:

    He overtook the leader three laps from the finish.

  3. to move ahead of in achievement, production, score, etc.; surpass:

    to overtake all other countries in steel production.

  4. 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)

, o·ver·took [oh-ver-, took], o·ver·tak·en, o·ver·tak·ing.
  1. to pass another vehicle:

    Never overtake on a curve.

overtake

/ ˌəʊvəˈteɪk /

verb

  1. to move past (another vehicle or person) travelling in the same direction
  2. tr to pass or do better than, after catching up with
  3. tr to come upon suddenly or unexpectedly

    night overtook him

  4. tr to catch up with; draw level with
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • uno·ver·taken adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of overtake1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English overtaken; over-, take
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Example Sentences

So how is someone expected to try to overtake him?

From BBC

"It overtakes your whole body. It's a vibration, but it's not a fast vibration. It's a deep underground sort of vibration that goes through your body."

From BBC

My condition seemed to echo the larger affliction overtaking the land, a reminder of the profound toll that tumultuous times exact upon both body and spirit.

From Salon

Despite her success, she still gets "mixed views" from men in the sport and hopes her place and an upcoming Netflix series following some of her peers, will help overtake stereotypes.

From BBC

"We always have the conversation, but what we didn't want was that celebrity to overtake the story."

From BBC

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