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 of outdo

• surpass
• exceed
• better

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

Not to be outdone, the president of the nation's largest public-sector employee union, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), also chimed in and called for Schumer and Jeffries to end the shutdown. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025

Not to outdo the iconic pairing of David Letterman and Warren Zevon, but the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has doubled its special guests for this year’s ceremony. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025

Ohtani outdid himself again Monday night with another performance for the ages in Game 3 of the World Series, and Freeman’s walk-off homer in the 18th inning gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a 6-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays—a game that’s tied for the longest Fall Classic contest ever. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025

The second-generation car, by contrast, was an evolution, but a rare sequel that outdid its predecessor. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 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