outwork

1 of 2

verb

out·​work ˌau̇t-ˈwərk How to pronounce outwork (audio)
outworked; outworking; outworks

transitive verb

1
2
: to work harder, faster, or better than

outwork

2 of 2

noun

out·​work ˈau̇t-ˌwərk How to pronounce outwork (audio)
: a minor defensive position constructed outside a fortified area

Examples of outwork in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
At an event at a vineyard in Hollis, N.H., later that day, with attendees shielded under umbrellas as rain poured from the sky, Ms. Haley expressed optimism, promising to outwork her rivals. Jazmine Ulloa, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2023 The Patriots need to be more consistent, more attentive to detail, and need to outwork their opponents. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 26 July 2023 And now, here’s Dillingham, trying to outwork all of them all at once. Greg Moore, The Arizona Republic, 25 Apr. 2023 Nobody will outwork him. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Mar. 2023 But no one can outwork Father Time. Jason Williams, The Enquirer, 18 Aug. 2022 No one will ever outwork me. Steve Peoples, ajc, 22 Oct. 2021 Nobody will outwork me. W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner, 11 June 2020 On one hand, any team that can outwork and intimidate Purdue could have the same luck against Florida Atlantic. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2023
Noun
That identity, Rich said, is going to be to outwork teams, to spread people out and rely on its depth. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 12 Sep. 2023 Yet, in recent years his hustle, and ability to outwork opponents on the glass, has made that viewpoint irrelevant. Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 3 May 2023 The way to be successful was to give it your all, outwork everyone else. Sarah Barker, Outside Online, 6 July 2021 While none of the four will start out on scholarship all four have taken the gamble to bet on themselves, outwork and outplay scholarship prospects and earn a free education and playing time on Saturdays. oregonlive, 29 Apr. 2021 Fury used his movement and crisp jab to outwork Wilder. cleveland, 22 Feb. 2020 Ed practiced his players three times a day, because his opening game opponent was working out his team twice a day, and Ed was gonna outwork that guy. Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 24 July 2019 Jay will listen, outwork anyone, and will act with the highest of ethical standards. Houston Chronicle, 30 June 2018 Vegas would like nothing more than to outwork and outhustle Winnipeg, win the neutral zone and score timely goals to win another series. Tim Hackett, SI.com, 11 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outwork.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1615, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outwork was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near outwork

Cite this Entry

“Outwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outwork. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

outwork

1 of 2 verb
out·​work (ˈ)au̇t-ˈwərk How to pronounce outwork (audio)
: to outdo in working

outwork

2 of 2 noun
out·​work ˈau̇t-ˌwərk How to pronounce outwork (audio)
: a small protected position constructed outside a main defense (as a castle)
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