outnumber

verb

out·​num·​ber ˌau̇t-ˈnəm-bər 

outnumbered; outnumbering; outnumbers

transitive verb

: to exceed in number

Examples of outnumber in a Sentence

With 20 girls and 10 boys in the class, girls outnumber boys by 2 to 1.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Mughals were heavily outnumbered by the Afghans but had penetrated the opposing army from the side and rear, causing great losses in Hemu’s army. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026

Spacious outdoor tables for folks with dogs, which sometimes seem to outnumber humans, beckon after the farmers’ market. — Laura Ness, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026

Sherlock Holmes stories written by post-Doylean authors now vastly outnumber the 60 that Doyle produced. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

The Lula administration is not only outnumbered in Congress, but also has less leverage to negotiate than previous Brazilian governments. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outnumber

• encumber
• renumber
• cumber
• lumber
• number
• slumber
• umber

Kids Definition

outnumber

verb

out·​num·​ber (ˈ)au̇t-ˈnəm-bər 

: to be more than in number

girls outnumber boys in the class