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adj Uncommon

overtaken

OH-vuhr-tay-kuhn

Overtaken (adj) means Caught by surprise, or beaten and passed by something else. Example: “She felt overtaken by grief at the funeral.”

adj
1
Caught by surprise, or beaten and passed by something else.
"She felt overtaken by grief at the funeral."
"The old factory was overtaken by newer, faster competitors."

How to use overtaken

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHaving been passed or suddenly overcome by something.

Common pairings
overtaken by events overtaken by emotion

Word forms

more overtaken comparative, most overtaken superlative

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She felt _____ by grief at the funeral.

Related words

Rhymes for overtaken

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Frequently asked questions

What does “overtaken” mean?

The word “overtaken” means caught by surprise, or beaten and passed by something else. In plain terms, having been passed or suddenly overcome by something.

How do you pronounce “overtaken”?

“Overtaken” is pronounced OH-vuhr-tay-kuhn (/ˈəʊvəɹteɪkən/ in IPA).

How do you use “overtaken” in a sentence?

Here is “overtaken” used in a sentence: “She felt overtaken by grief at the funeral.”

What is another word for “overtaken”?

Words with a similar meaning to “overtaken” include drunk.

What part of speech is “overtaken”?

“Overtaken” is an adjective.

Is “overtaken” a common word?

“Overtaken” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial