Synonym Chooser

How does the verb outstrip contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of outstrip are exceed, excel, outdo, surpass, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

When is exceed a more appropriate choice than outstrip?

Although the words exceed and outstrip have much in common, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

When would excel be a good substitute for outstrip?

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

excels in mathematics

Where would outdo be a reasonable alternative to outstrip?

While the synonyms outdo and outstrip are close in meaning, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

When might surpass be a better fit than outstrip?

The meanings of surpass and outstrip largely overlap; however, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When can transcend be used instead of outstrip?

The words transcend and outstrip can be used in similar contexts, but transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of outstrip Having witnessed her courage and resilience up close, Biden also missed the chance to provide relief for someone who has a legacy of fighting to end the war on drugs that far outstrips many politicians. Zy Richardson, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2025 Though Schrader is correct that the film is visually flat, Light of Day is still a lovely blue-collar portrait of people whose creative ambitions far outstrip their abilities and circumstance. Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025 At $4 trillion, California’s gross domestic product outstrips that of the U.K. Samantha Conti, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025 In October, Microsoft told investors that demand for Azure services outstripped supply because of a delay from a third-party provider. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outstrip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstrip
Verb
  • But the number of deaths in 2025 has already exceeded last year’s count.
    Will Carless, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Federal departments and agencies report that the average age of their facilities exceeds their 40-50-year design life, with half rated to be in poor or critical condition, and there are multibillion-dollar maintenance backlogs across multiple R&D facilities.
    Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Lucid — The electric vehicle stock surged more than 9% after fourth-quarter results surpassed analysts’ estimates on the top and bottom lines.
    Brian Evans, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Only 16 films have ever surpassed the $100 million mark in global Imax grosses.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Mitchell finished with 31 points, eclipsing his previous career-high of 25 set just last week against Oklahoma.
    Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Extra time in Eindhoven helped the group exceed 5,000 minutes of play, comfortably eclipsing the previous high of 3,985 minutes logged in 2021-22.
    Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The American Gaming Association estimates betters nationwide will wager $1.39 billion on the big game — an 11.2% increase from the projection made by research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming for last year's Super Bowl.
    Jessica Boehm, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
  • People add a range of things, like chlorophyll drops, apple cider vinegar and L-theanine powder to their water in order to try to better their health.
    Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstrip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstrip. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on outstrip

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