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

Jumping forward a few years from the events of season 2, the war between Sauron and the Elves is raging, with the forces of evil vastly outnumbering the defenders of good as the Dark Lord works to finish the One Ring. — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026

The nearly two dozen protesters were largely outnumbered by shoppers, but stood firm in their argument and hope of being heard. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2026

Annual harvest surveys show nonresident pheasant hunters are outnumbering resident hunters, and have every year since 2002. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 4 Nov. 2026

Depending on the outcome of several House races, Democratic physician-lawmakers may outnumber Republican physician-lawmakers. — Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 4 Nov. 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