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

Did Stevens outrun the final polls, in part, because some Democrats thought El-Sayed’s supporters were obnoxious? — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

What The Industry Owes Enterprises​ The pace of AI adoption has outrun the guardrails that vendors and standards bodies have shipped, and enterprises are absorbing the cost. — Nidhi Jain, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Worthy outran Kader Kohou for a score that got a rise from the fans in attendance. — Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

In the $200,000 San Clemente Handicap 35-1 longshot Somerset West (Armando Ayuso) outran nine other 3-year-old fillies, including three formidable challengers who shipped in from the east. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 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