outrun

verb

out·​run ˌau̇t-ˈrən 

outran ˌau̇t-ˈran  ; outrun; outrunning

transitive verb

1

: to run faster than

2

: exceed, surpass

his ambitions outrun his abilities

Synonyms of outrun

• exceed
• surpass

Examples of outrun in a Sentence

The rabbit had no chance of outrunning the dogs.

His motorcycle could outrun any car on the road.

Recent Examples on the Web

But officials are most concerned about young riders on the electric bicycles and motorcycles outfitted with the most powerful motors that can sometimes outrun police vehicles. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

The stock jumped another 8% in late July after second-quarter earnings beat estimates, outrunning Salesforce and Workday in the same rally. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

Abdurraqib’s point, though, appears to be that the curse might be a blessing in disguise, or at least that our attempts to outrun the curse might be more cursed than the curse itself. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

Thierry Henry curved away from defenders, Cristiano Ronaldo attacked their blind side and Kylian Mbappe outran them. — Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outrun

• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun
• homespun
• outdone
• pashtun
• redone
• rerun
• shotgun
• someone
• stepson

Kids Definition

outrun

verb

out·​run (ˈ)au̇t-ˈrən 

outran -ˈran  ; outrun; outrunning

1

: to run or go faster than

2

: exceed sense 1

our needs outran our funds