1
as in traps
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 fascinates
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 interests
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 advises
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 catches up
Until science catches up, traffic safety wins.
—
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, the Giannis competition catches up in the offseason, when teams like Miami can suddenly tap into more first-rounders and, as such, present a package that might surpass what Golden State has out there now.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But the Demogorgon catches up, dragging Will into the decaying lair of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), looking as menacing as ever.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
But when his past catches up with him, he is confronted with the ultimate test.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Marty also catches up with Tap’s concert promoter, Simon Howler (Chris Addison), who shares his new ideas and catches up with Nigel about some old ideas.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The new 10-episode season — its 14th — is streaming now on Hulu and catches up with the Hill family in a vastly different America.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Still, the Giannis competition catches up in the offseason, when teams like Miami can suddenly tap into more first-rounders and, as such, present a package that might surpass what Golden State has out there now.
—Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
But the Demogorgon catches up, dragging Will into the decaying lair of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), looking as menacing as ever.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
But when his past catches up with him, he is confronted with the ultimate test.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Marty also catches up with Tap’s concert promoter, Simon Howler (Chris Addison), who shares his new ideas and catches up with Nigel about some old ideas.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The new 10-episode season — its 14th — is streaming now on Hulu and catches up with the Hill family in a vastly different America.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catches up
Verb
-
Sokolowski says leaving it wet or bunched on the floor traps water and encourages mold, mildew, and odor, which break down fibers over time.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In the winter, warmer air sits above the valley level and colder air lowers to the valley floor, creating a lid that traps the fog, frequently for days or weeks.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
How golfers rely on — and leverage — technology fascinates Skenes, from the numbers culled relative to swing speed and ball flight to how their bodies must be in sync to generate so much club speed.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
-
What fascinates me as a writer is what is sometimes left out of the historical record, what gets tucked away in odd places.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What, other than money, interests the Bears?—
Edward Keegan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Pick a topic that interests you, and look for book recommendations made by experts in that field to work out which reads are worth your valuable time.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so McDonald's advises interested customers to act fast.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The Legislative Analyst’s Office, which analyzes ballot initiatives and also advises legislators, estimated schools and local governments would lose at least $12 billion a year.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Wire pin or slicker brushes work best for dogs with long hair that tangles easily.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ella has shades of Holly Hunter's intense, workaholic producer Jane from Brooks' 1987 masterpiece Broadcast News, the smartest person in any room who both exhausts and enchants everyone around her.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
12 Dec. 2025
-
By bringing these three gestures together, Killam fashions a method that repairs, strengthens, and re-enchants the invisible social fabric that sustains us.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Hopefully, there’s a spot that intrigues you.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The menu has a lot of delicious choices, but the one that intrigues my girlfriend is their overnight oat bowl.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Set in the remote highlands of Montenegro, the film tells the story of a shepherd mother and her daughter who proudly defend their ancestral mountain from the threat of becoming a NATO military training ground, stirring memories of past violence that once shattered their family.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Build a balanced plate Agusala recommends slowing down when eating and paying attention to when your brain tells you to stop.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catches up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catches%20up. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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