outdo

verb

out·​do ˌau̇t-ˈdü 

outdid ˌau̇t-ˈdid  ; outdone ˌau̇t-ˈdən  ; outdoing ˌau̇t-ˈdü-iŋ  ; outdoes ˌau̇t-ˈdəz 

transitive verb

1

: to go beyond in action or performance

2

: defeat, overcome

Synonyms

• beat
• better
• eclipse
• exceed
• excel
• outclass
• outdistance
• outgun
• outmatch
• outshine
• outstrip
• overtop
• surpass
• top
• tower (over)
• transcend

Choose the Right Synonym for outdo

exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree.

exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

Examples of outdo in a Sentence

Smaller companies often outdo larger ones in customer service.

My sister always tried to outdo me in school.

She scored 20 points in the first game. Not to be outdone, I scored 30 points myself in the second game.

Recent Examples on the Web

On a very tasteful green sofa Not to be outdone by her friend, actress Tilda Swinton was wearing the tee days after the link-up with Ackermann. —Sam Manzella, Them., 1 May 2025

André Fu—the Hong Kong interiors architect behind hotels such as The Shangri-La, Tokyo, and Villa La Coste, in Aix-en-Provence, France—has outdone himself with this latest project. —Amber Gibson, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2025

But within a few months, something surprising happened: even the drivers who’d previously been disengaged were competing to outdo each other, sharing tips and bragging about their safety streaks. —Brian Moroney, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

But any anxiety is outdone by the anticipation of simply getting to be Jenni Rose behind the mic, with the spotlight fully on her. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outdo

• outdo oneself

Rhymes for outdo

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• bamboo
• beaucoup
• bijou

Kids Definition

outdo

verb

out·​do -ˈdü 

outdid -ˈdid  ; outdone -ˈdən  ; outdoing -ˈdü-iŋ 

: to go beyond in achievement or performance