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

Enchanting new Hubble Telescope image reveals an infant star's sparkle Another mind-blowing JWST image Not to be outdone, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured incredibly sharp images of the Horsehead Nebula in April, one of the most iconic celestial bodies in the sky over Earth. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 24 Dec. 2024

Not to be outdone by the coast, inland also has an impressive cast of wild creatures. —AFAR Media, 23 Dec. 2024

The film shows the funny and relatable side of OFW life – including a pair of breadwinners trying to outdo each other in a Balikbayan box stuffing competition (the cardboard boxes containing items sent home by overseas Filipinos) – but also touches on the downside of the role. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024

Not to be outdone, in 2017 Kiss bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons put out a 150-song, 38-pound box set that cost $2,000. —George Varga, The Mercury News, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outdo

• outdo oneself

Kids Definition

outdo

verb

out·​do -ˈdü 

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

: to go beyond in achievement or performance