outstrip

verb

out·​strip ˌau̇t-ˈstrip How to pronounce outstrip (audio)
outstripped; outstripping; outstrips

transitive verb

1
: to go faster or farther than
2
: to get ahead of
has civilization outstripped the ability of its users to use it?Margaret Mead
Choose the Right Synonym for outstrip

exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree.

exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

Examples of outstrip in a Sentence

The new hotel outstrips all other hotels in the area in size and luxury. The fullback outstripped the defenders and scored a touchdown.
Recent Examples on the Web In another sign of the rally broadening, the banking ETF has outstripped the S&P 500's climb of less than 1% during the same period. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2024 Despite this surge, the impact of cyberattacks is outstripping the protective measures that organizations put in place. Craig Burland, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 Fatalities have risen by more than 50 percent since the turn of the century, outstripping population growth. Monika Mondal, WIRED, 19 Aug. 2024 That’s due to Gilbert’s 17 2/3 innings pitched advantage, narrowly outstripping Kirby’s small qualitative edge. Tony Blengino, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outstrip 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outstrip.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

out- + obsolete strip to move fast

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outstrip was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near outstrip

Cite this Entry

“Outstrip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outstrip. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

outstrip

verb
out·​strip -ˈstrip How to pronounce outstrip (audio)
outstripped; outstripping
1
: to go faster or farther than
outstripped the other runners
2
a
: excel
outstripped all rivals
b
: exceed sense 1
demand outstrips supply

More from Merriam-Webster on outstrip

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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