overtake

To catch up with someone or something and then pass them or become more successful.

• The cyclist overtook me.
• Our team hopes to overtake its biggest rival.
• Can you overtake that slow truck safely?

Similar words: pass, outstrip

Common phrases: overtake a car, overtake a rival, overtake someone quickly

To pass a slower vehicle on the side nearest traffic coming toward you.

• Do not overtake on this bend.
• She overtook the truck when the road was clear.
• Drivers must check for oncoming traffic before they overtake.

Similar words: pass

Common phrases: overtake a vehicle, overtake on something, overtake a truck

To become larger in amount, value, or number than something else.

• Costs have overtaken our income.
• Online sales overtook store sales last month.
• The city’s population may soon overtake that of the capital.

How to use it: overtake something in something (The smaller company overtook its rival in total sales.)

Similar words: exceed, surpass

Common phrases: overtake something in sales, overtake last year’s total, overtake a record

To affect someone suddenly and strongly, often before they can prepare or respond.

• Panic overtook him.
• Darkness overtook us before we reached the village.
• Their plans were overtaken by unexpected events.

How to use it: be overtaken by something (She was overtaken by a sudden wave of sadness.)

Similar words: overwhelm, engulf

Common phrases: overtake someone suddenly, events overtake something, overtake someone completely

An action in which a driver or rider passes someone moving more slowly.

• That was a risky overtake.
• The driver waited for a safe overtake.
• Her final overtake won the race.

Similar words: passing maneuver

Common phrases: safe overtake, risky overtake, attempt an overtake