as in overtook
to go or grow faster than (something)
Population growth has continued to outpace job growth for the last several decades. The demand for the product has outpaced the company's ability to produce it.
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Recent Examples of outpaced
San Antonio outpaced Austin by roughly 3,000 new home starts in the second quarter, perhaps contributing to what Zonda data show is a market now appropriately supplied with build-ready lots.
—
Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
Although this sounds like a good idea, the availability of screening has outpaced its clinical relevance.
—Jordan D. Metzl, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
Silver Dollar City's own Thunderation has outpaced many industry benchmarks in both longevity and popularity.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
In their letter, the senators argued that the rapid growth of the detention system has outpaced oversight and accountability.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Net leverage snapped lower, short adds outpaced long sales, and some of the most crowded factor tilts – momentum, small caps, retail favorites – suddenly looked less comfortable.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
In Texas, Galveston outpaced other in-state beach destinations.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Departures remained elevated, with 262 CFO exits worldwide—2% higher than 2024 and 5% above the seven‑year average—but appointments outpaced exits by 54 roles, the widest gap since Russell Reynolds began tracking CFO turnover in 2019.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
While the New York City region added more total positions (48,400), Charlotte significantly outpaced the nation’s largest metro in terms of growth rate.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
Although this sounds like a good idea, the availability of screening has outpaced its clinical relevance.
—Jordan D. Metzl, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
Silver Dollar City's own Thunderation has outpaced many industry benchmarks in both longevity and popularity.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
In their letter, the senators argued that the rapid growth of the detention system has outpaced oversight and accountability.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Net leverage snapped lower, short adds outpaced long sales, and some of the most crowded factor tilts – momentum, small caps, retail favorites – suddenly looked less comfortable.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
In Texas, Galveston outpaced other in-state beach destinations.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Departures remained elevated, with 262 CFO exits worldwide—2% higher than 2024 and 5% above the seven‑year average—but appointments outpaced exits by 54 roles, the widest gap since Russell Reynolds began tracking CFO turnover in 2019.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
While the New York City region added more total positions (48,400), Charlotte significantly outpaced the nation’s largest metro in terms of growth rate.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outpaced
Verb
-
In Beijing, Sweden overtook Great Britain for the gold while Canada took bronze.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
21 Feb. 2026
-
A number of conservative commentators, including Roger Kimball, Peter Wood, and Chris Rufo, maintain that political conformity overtook élite institutions of higher learning and turned every seminar room into some radical struggle session where students dutifully read Karl Marx and bell hooks.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The average price of new cars fluctuates in the span of a year, but in September, the average price of a new car surpassed $50,000—a record high, according to estimates by Kelley Blue Book.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
-
City Hall’s expenses far surpassed its revenues for the past two years.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prosecutors said Maurer, of Coalinga in Fresno County, deliberately drove his pickup truck into the children and adults.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Police are investigating a dramatic crash Tuesday where an SUV drove onto the sidewalk and barrelled into a vendor in downtown Los Angeles’ flower district, injuring six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outpaced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outpaced. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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