Overtaken

To *overtake* is to surpass or catch up with something or someone. It signifies moving past another, often in a race, pursuit, or competition. It can also describe being overwhelmed or affected by something, such as a feeling or situation. Furthermore, it can indicate a sudden occurrence or impact, like a project surpassing its deadline. The context dictates the specific nuances, but the core meaning consistently involves exceeding, surpassing, or being overwhelmed by an external factor, whether it's a physical entity, an event, or an abstract concept.

Overtaken meaning with examples

• The sleek sports car rapidly *overtook* the lumbering truck on the highway, leaving it far behind in a cloud of dust. The driver accelerated with the intention to swiftly win the race and take the leading position by the next turn.
• As the rain intensified, the runners were quickly overtaken by the approaching storm, forcing the race organizers to stop the race and have the crowd seek immediate shelter due to heavy weather.
• Fear of public speaking *overtook* him as he stepped onto the stage; his carefully prepared speech suddenly fled from his mind, leaving him paralyzed with terror in front of the microphone.
• The construction project's costs have significantly overtaken the initial budget due to unexpected material price increases and the sudden need to get additional supplies.
• After weeks of relentless effort, the innovative marketing strategy unexpectedly *overtook* the rival campaign in terms of customer engagement and generated significant profits in record time.