outswim

verb

out·swim ˌau̇t-ˈswim

outswam ˌau̇t-ˈswam

; outswum ˌau̇t-ˈswəm

; outswimming

transitive verb

: to outdo or surpass in swimming : to swim faster, farther, or better than

Polar bears use sea ice as a platform from which to hunt seals, which are the bearsʼ main source of food but can outswim them in open water.—

Rowena Lindsay

Examples of outswim in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

In desperate attempts to outswim these new predators, the ichthyosaurs were more likely to rise too quickly. —

Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2012 Experts say to never attempt to outswim a rip current and instead recommend swimming parallel to shore to escape the current, a previous Journal Sentinel report said. —

Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2022 Experts also say to never attempt to outswim a rip current and instead recommend swimming parallel to shore to escape the current. —

Brittany Trang, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2 July 2021 Today’s species can outswim the fastest Olympians, change color at will, escape through the tiniest of holes. —

Colin Dickey, New Republic, 21 Sep. 2017