1
as in trapping
to catch or hold as if in a net
a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fascinating
to hold the attention of as if by a spell
completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in interesting
to hold the attention of
so caught up in the game that she didn't note the passage of time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in informing
to give information to
catch me up on what's been happening at the office
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catching up
The science behind why your brain feels rebooted afterward is finally catching up to the hype.
—
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
So while Geely’s breakthrough screams potential, the supporting cast – grid capacity, charger density, and standardization – is still catching up.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
Despite delays in previous weeks, its haulers are catching up, said Andy Wontor, a county spokesperson said.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
The turnout rate for student voters at community colleges was catching up with the rate at public four-year institutions, data suggested.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
When Miami Metro’s Angel Batista (David Zayas) arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Media outlets are catching up to our latest Linde thesis.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Even more could be catching up the following morning.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2026
The Census Bureau is still catching up on data releases following delays caused by last year’s government shutdown.
—Reuters
wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026
So while Geely’s breakthrough screams potential, the supporting cast – grid capacity, charger density, and standardization – is still catching up.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
Despite delays in previous weeks, its haulers are catching up, said Andy Wontor, a county spokesperson said.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
The turnout rate for student voters at community colleges was catching up with the rate at public four-year institutions, data suggested.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
When Miami Metro’s Angel Batista (David Zayas) arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Media outlets are catching up to our latest Linde thesis.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Even more could be catching up the following morning.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2026
The Census Bureau is still catching up on data releases following delays caused by last year’s government shutdown.
—Reuters
wire Service, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catching up
Verb
-
Artificial lights disrupt this carefully tuned internal navigation system, throwing birds off their path and even trapping them in bright beams.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Porte + Hall’s durable, dirt-trapping entryway rug.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wilentz, author of the 2010 book Dylan in America, wrote Volume 18‘s detailed, often fascinating 125-page liner notes that provides historical context for the expansive eight-CD set.—
Glenn Peoples,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Once on the ground visitors can enjoy Greenland’s rugged coastal landscapes, fascinating indigenous Inuit culture, and the opportunity to experience the country at its primordial best.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The legislation requires employers with more than 100 full-time employees to file a 60-day notice informing employees and government officials of upcoming layoffs.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After informing her choir teacher about what happened, a nurse was informed who then called the girl's parents.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Its hot water wash dissolves stubborn grease on the mop pads, while its specialized Curv design prevents long hair from tangling around the brushes.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The instinctive Moon opposes jovial Jupiter, tangling your 10th House of Ambition with your 4th House of Comfort.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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It was broadcast worldwide, enchanting some 30 million viewers.—
Francesca Pellegrini,
Vanity Fair,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The face enchanting enough to gain entry into this party of the Four Hundred.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And while the company presented more data on that drug Tuesday, showing promising first-line and combination data on daraxonrasib, scientists also showed in another session intriguing preclinical data on a completely new compound that may represent what comes after the current lineup.—
Angus Chen,
STAT,
21 Apr. 2026
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There’s familiarity there, but there’s also intriguing talent with Thompson.—
SportsDay Staff,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Like Flores and Natal, Kaik found that the company, York Service & Towing, would only take cash, telling her that sometimes, people would pay with a credit card then cancel the card before payment went through.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Shortly after telling her to contact security, Alvarez arrived upstairs.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another, from 2009, is dominated by the profile of what appears to be a guard dog gripping a black hunk of something unidentifiable.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Nazem Kadri is passing up shots and sometimes looks uncomfortable gripping his stick right now.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catching up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catching%20up. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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