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

These officers can outrun you, outmaneuver you through dense downtown traffic and scout out any funny business in large crowds. —Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026

In the 32nd minute, Jónsdóttir once again outran Anderson down the left sideline to create another breakaway. —Harold Gutmann, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026

Following mysterious invitations, 10 strangers arrive on an isolated island and promptly begin to die, one by one, as the remaining group members try to outrun their own clearly impending deaths by figuring out a nursery-rhyme riddle. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 18 Mar. 2026

But don’t try to outrun the drone. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 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