Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

outdo

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of outdo

to be greater, better, or stronger than
  • two vaccine developers who spent years vigorously trying to outdo one another's research
Synonyms of outdo

beat, better, eclipse, exceed, excel, outclass, outdistance, outshine, outstrip, overtop, surpass, top, tower (over), transcend
Words Related to outdo

outpace, outrun, overpass

best, clobber, conquer, crush, defeat, drub, lick, master, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), rout, shame, skunk, subdue, surmount, thrash, trim, triumph (over), trounce, wallop, whip, win (against), worst

outbalance, outweigh, overbear, overshadow, trump
Phrases Synonymous with outdo

go one better, run circles around (or run rings around)
Near Antonyms of outdo

lose (to)

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about outdo

  1. See words that rhyme with outdo Dictionary: Definition of outdo Spanish Central: Translation of outdo Nglish: Translation of outdo for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of outdo for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up outdo? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games