outdo

verb

out·​do ˌau̇t-ˈdü 

outdid ˌau̇t-ˈdid  ; outdone ˌau̇t-ˈdən  ; outdoing ˌau̇t-ˈdü-iŋ  ; outdoes ˌau̇t-ˈdəz 

transitive verb

1

: to go beyond in action or performance

2

: defeat, overcome

Synonyms

• beat
• better
• eclipse
• exceed
• excel
• outclass
• outdistance
• outgun
• outmatch
• outshine
• outstrip
• overtop
• surpass
• top
• tower (over)
• transcend

Choose the Right Synonym for outdo

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 outdo in a Sentence

Smaller companies often outdo larger ones in customer service.

My sister always tried to outdo me in school.

She scored 20 points in the first game. Not to be outdone, I scored 30 points myself in the second game.

Recent Examples on the Web

Not to be outdone, its longtime rival India plays the same game. —Zachariah Mampilly, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025

As rehearsals unfold under the director’s bizarre, often humiliating techniques, the actors clash over their wildly opposing philosophies, each trying to outdo the other while navigating the absurdity of the creative process. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

While no present could outdo the relief of kissing a thesis or capstone goodbye, these gift ideas will make entering the next chapter of their lives a little easier. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2025

More players who consistently impact the game, so the team’s stars don’t need to outdo the MacKinnons and Makars of the world. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outdo

• outdo oneself

Rhymes for outdo

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

outdo

verb

out·​do -ˈdü 

outdid -ˈdid  ; outdone -ˈdən  ; outdoing -ˈdü-iŋ 

: to go beyond in achievement or performance