outstrip

verb

out·​strip ˌau̇t-ˈstrip 

outstripped; outstripping; outstrips

transitive verb

1

: to go faster or farther than

2

: to get ahead of

… has civilization outstripped the ability of its users to use it?

—Margaret Mead

Synonyms of outstrip

• exceed
• surpass
• eclipse

Choose the Right Synonym for outstrip

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 outstrip in a Sentence

The new hotel outstrips all other hotels in the area in size and luxury.

The fullback outstripped the defenders and scored a touchdown.

Recent Examples on the Web

Deficits are expected to grow over the next decade as the costs of Social Security and Medicare outstrip tax revenues. —ABC News, 1 June 2026

Ives said chip demand continues to outstrip supply as cloud giants accelerate AI infrastructure spending, with Big Tech capital expenditure projected to reach roughly $725 billion. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 May 2026

Despite the fact that SpaceX is a fast-growing company, its ambitions outstrip its current sales. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 20 May 2026

The sale on Monday far outstripped those, no doubt due to the truly top material in the sale, including what Christie’s called the largest Pollock drip painting still in private hands. —Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

out- + obsolete strip to move fast

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outstrip

• airship
• airstrip
• clerkship
• courtship
• equip
• filmstrip
• flagship
• headship
• heirship
• judgeship
• kinship
• lightship

Kids Definition

outstrip

verb

out·​strip -ˈstrip 

outstripped; outstripping

1

: to go faster or farther than

outstripped the other runners

2

a

: excel

outstripped all rivals

b

: exceed sense 1

demand outstrips supply