Synonyms of outdo

outdo

verb

ˌau̇t-ˈdü 

as in to surpass

to be greater, better, or stronger than

two vaccine developers who spent years vigorously trying to outdo one another's research

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surpass
• exceed
• better
• eclipse
• top
• beat
• outshine
• outstrip
• transcend
• excel
• outdistance
• outclass
• outmatch
• overcome
• master
• outgun
• overtop
• one-up
• outpace
• defeat
• outrun
• overshadow
• tower (over)
• best
• run rings around
• outperform
• outweigh
• conquer
• surmount
• subdue
• go one better
• worst
• run circles around
• outcompete
• outrace
• win (against)
• lick
• clobber
• trump
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• shame
• trounce
• crush
• rout
• whip
• trim
• thrash
• overmatch
• drub
• overbear
• overpass
• outbalance
• wallop
• skunk

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose (to)

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb outdo contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of outdo are exceed, excel, outstrip, surpass, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

When would exceed be a good substitute for outdo?

The words exceed and outdo are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

When could excel be used to replace outdo?

In some situations, the words excel and outdo are roughly equivalent. However, excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

When can outstrip be used instead of outdo?

The meanings of outstrip and outdo largely overlap; however, outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

When is it sensible to use surpass instead of outdo?

While the synonyms surpass and outdo are close in meaning, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When might transcend be a better fit than outdo?

The synonyms transcend and outdo are sometimes interchangeable, but transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of outdo

Musk, not to be outdone, reacted by claiming on X that Trump is blocking the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files because he’s named in the documents. —Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025

Not to be outdone, Cinemark (CNK) also raked in the customers — and the cash — over the busy Memorial Day weekend, which featured movies like the Lilo and Stitch premiere and the latest in the Mission Impossible franchise. —Kevin Williams, Quartz, 27 May 2025

Alexander McCoy Orlando Big Beautiful Bill gets the job done Well, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson outdid himself, and with little room to spare, the U.S. House passed the Big Beautiful Bill that Donald Trump wanted. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025

Either way, these are all exciting matchups, and the UFC has outdone itself. —James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025