The verb "overtakes" has several meanings such as to catch up with and pass by, or to overwhelm. Here are some synonyms and their explanations along with examples:
1. When "overtakes" means to catch up with and pass
- Surpasses
- Explanation: "Surpasses" means to go beyond in amount, degree, or quality. It implies not just catching up but also exceeding. It can be used in various contexts like in sports, academics, or business to show that one entity is better or has more of a particular quality than another.
- Example: In the final lap of the race, the red - car driver surpasses the blue - car driver and wins the race. Here, the red - car driver not only catches up with the blue - car driver but also goes ahead, similar to the idea of overtaking.
- Outstrips
- Explanation: "Outstrips" means to move faster than and leave behind. It emphasizes the idea of leaving the other behind after passing. It is often used to describe a more significant or rapid lead.
- Example: The new technology outstrips the old one in terms of speed and efficiency. In this case, the new technology is so much better that it quickly passes and leaves the old technology far behind, just like a vehicle overtaking another at a high speed.
- Passes
- Explanation: "Passes" is a simple and direct synonym. It means to move ahead of someone or something while in motion. It can be used in a literal sense (like passing a car on the road) or in a more figurative sense (like passing a competitor in a ranking).
- Example: The cyclist passes his opponents one by one during the uphill climb. Here, the cyclist is overtaking his competitors in a very clear and straightforward way.
2. When "overtakes" means to overwhelm
- Overwhelms
- Explanation: "Overwhelms" means to overpower or cover completely. It implies a forceful takeover or a situation where one thing becomes dominant over another. It can refer to emotions, events, or physical forces.
- Example: Grief overtook her and overwhelmed her senses. Here, the feeling of grief was so strong that it dominated her and took over, similar to the way an overwhelming force can overtake a place or a person's state of mind.
- Submerges
- Explanation: "Submerges" originally means to put under water, but in a more figurative sense, it can mean to cover or engulf completely. It gives the idea of being taken over by something, as if sinking under its influence.
- Example: The floodwaters overtook the village and submerged it. In this context, the water not only caught up with the village but also completely covered it, showing a more extreme form of overtaking.