outshine

verb

out·​shine ˌau̇t-ˈshīn 

outshone ˌau̇t-ˈshōn 

 especially British  -ˈshän

or outshined; outshining

transitive verb

1

a

: to shine brighter than

b

: to excel in splendor or showiness

2

: outdo, surpass

outshone most of the other films in quality

—Kathleen Karr

intransitive verb

: to shine out

Synonyms

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

Examples of outshine in a Sentence

She outshines all the other actors in the film.

the trumpeter outshines all of his fellow band members

Recent Examples on the Web

Concept is a strong, handsome hatchback that far outshines its predecessor. —New Atlas, 8 Mar. 2025

All three women’s vocals outshine the recorded backing tracks — and in big moments all three demonstrate the combination of singing and acting that lifts musical theater. —Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025

The key is recognizing the specific areas where AI can enhance your work, and where your own expertise outshines it. —Andrew Allen, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

Quasars are some of the brightest light sources in the cosmos, often outshining the combined light of billions of stars in the galaxy that surrounds them. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for outshine

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

outshine

verb

out·​shine (ˈ)au̇t-ˈshīn 

outshone -ˈshōn  ; outshining

1

: to shine brighter than

2

: excel, surpass