Overtake definition

ōvər-tāk

Words form:

Frequency:

To catch up with and, often, go beyond.

verb

(economics) To become greater than something else.

verb

"Our plans were overtaken by events."

verb

To come upon unexpectedly; take by surprise.

Geopolitical strategists who were overtaken by events in southeast Asia.

verb

To catch up with; draw even or level with.

verb

To pass after catching up with.

verb

To come upon unexpectedly or suddenly.

A sudden storm overtook us.

verb

To render outmoded, irrelevant, invalid, etc.

A once cutting-edge analysis now overtaken by recent events.

verb

To pass a more slowly moving object.

verb

To catch up with, but not pass, a more slowly moving vehicle, animal etc.

"I overtook and passed the doctor between Woking and Send." 1898, H. G. Wells, The War of the Worlds.

verb

Origin of overtake