overtake

Meaning

Verb

1. To pass a slower moving object or entity (on the side closest to oncoming traffic).
2. (transitive) To become greater than something else in quantity, worth, etc.
3. To take by surprise; surprise and overcome; carry away.

Noun

An act of overtaking; an overtaking maneuver.

Opposite of

undertake[curbside]]>

Synonyms

catch up

pass

surpass

catch up with

catch

overhaul

outstrip

pass by

catch up to

reach

go ahead

go around

run after

chase

pursue

overwhelm

outdistance

outrun

happen

catch up with and surpass

come upon

anticipate

befall

sweep over

pass up

come up to

get ahead of

get ahead

whelm

overpower

overcome

outdo

outreach

leave behind

advance

move forward

exceed

equal

brush off

emulate

draw out

brush aside

arrive

dominate

deserve

boggle

hunt

go past

defeat

blindside

Translations

dépasser

überholen

sorpassare

adelantar

inhalen

superare

doubler

ultrapassar

oltrepassare

rattraper

devancer

alcanzar

adipiscor

surpasser

passer

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əʊvə(ɹ)ˈteɪk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: overtaken

In summary

From Middle English overtaken, likely a replacement alteration (as the Middle English verb taken replaced nimen (“to take”)), of Middle English overnimen (“to overtake”), from Old English oferniman (“to take by surprise, overtake”), equivalent to over- + take.

Sentences

Do not overtake unless it is safe to do so .