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
• outgun
• master
• overtop
• one-up
• outpace
• overshadow
• outrun
• defeat
• tower (over)
• best
• outperform
• conquer
• surmount
• outweigh
• 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

The film follows a group of struggling East London rappers who, desperate to outdo another rising star, steal a boat for a music video only to discover it’s stuffed with cash, landing them between rival crime cartels. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Never to be outdone, the Lane Kiffin show continues down in Death Valley. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Only the 27 productions running during the week ending August 16, only Hamilton‘s box office outdid Ragtime, with the former taking in $2,123,135. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

Compounding the crisis is the fact that airlines are actively resisting standardization in a bid to outdo each other. — Edward Russell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026