Synonyms of outdo

outdo

verb

ˌau̇t-ˈdü 

as in to surpass

to be greater, better, or stronger than

two vaccine developers who spent years vigorously trying to outdo one another's research

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surpass
• exceed
• better
• eclipse
• top
• beat
• outshine
• outstrip
• transcend
• excel
• outdistance
• outclass
• outmatch
• overcome
• master
• outgun
• overtop
• one-up
• outpace
• defeat
• outrun
• overshadow
• tower (over)
• best
• run rings around
• outperform
• outweigh
• conquer
• surmount
• subdue
• go one better
• worst
• run circles around
• outcompete
• outrace
• win (against)
• lick
• clobber
• trump
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• shame
• trounce
• crush
• rout
• whip
• trim
• thrash
• overmatch
• drub
• overbear
• overpass
• outbalance
• wallop
• skunk

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb outdo contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of outdo are exceed, excel, outstrip, surpass, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

When would exceed be a good substitute for outdo?

The words exceed and outdo are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

When could excel be used to replace outdo?

In some situations, the words excel and outdo are roughly equivalent. However, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

When can outstrip be used instead of outdo?

The meanings of outstrip and outdo largely overlap; however, outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

When is it sensible to use surpass instead of outdo?

While the synonyms surpass and outdo are close in meaning, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When might transcend be a better fit than outdo?

The synonyms transcend and outdo are sometimes interchangeable, but transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of outdo

Part of that can be put down to how the two clubs spent both 2021-22 and last season trying to outdo each other in the quest to finish top of the National League and League Two respectively. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025

Ohanian has repeatedly promised to outdo the inaugural iteration of Athlos. —Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

The results reflect growing public anxieties about the development of AI systems that could match or even outdo humans at most tasks. —Billy Perrigo, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025

Not to be outdone by Samsung’s huge Galaxy phone sale, Amazon has slashed the price of the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 8a. —Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025