Synonym Chooser

How does the verb outstrip contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of outstrip are exceed, excel, outdo, surpass, and transcend. While all these words mean "to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree," outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

When is exceed a more appropriate choice than outstrip?

Although the words exceed and outstrip have much in common, exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

When would excel be a good substitute for outstrip?

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

excels in mathematics

Where would outdo be a reasonable alternative to outstrip?

While the synonyms outdo and outstrip are close in meaning, outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

When might surpass be a better fit than outstrip?

The meanings of surpass and outstrip largely overlap; however, surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

When can transcend be used instead of outstrip?

The words transcend and outstrip can be used in similar contexts, but transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of outstrip If supply outstrips demand, bond prices will fall, and yields will rise. Mike Patton, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 At a high level, the growth in electricity demand and deactivation of power-generating facilities are outstripping the pace at which new electricity generation is being added to the electric grid, Hill said. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 21 June 2025 But Sanlorenzo’s commitment to the arts, which started with an installation at Art Basel, has outstripped its competitors. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 20 June 2025 Across more than a dozen surveys conducted between late January and mid-May 2025, unfavorable ratings consistently outstrip favorable ones—often by double-digit margins. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for outstrip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstrip
Verb
  • In 2023, Luckin’s revenue in China exceeded what Starbucks made there for the first time, bouncing back from an accounting scandal that got Luckin booted from the Nasdaq in 2020.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 2 July 2025
  • Despite Israel’s qualitatively effective defenses, an underlying quantitative war attrition was at play that threatened to degrade Israel’s position over time: Iranian stocks of MRBM-class missiles likely exceeded the number of anti-MRBM interceptors possessed by Israel (ie. Arrow-2 and 3).
    Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • The death toll from flooding in Texas surpassed 100 on Monday, as officials faced scrutiny over the adequacy of local warning systems.
    semafor.com, semafor.com, 8 July 2025
  • Several family members of former MLB relief pitcher Tyler Walker remain missing on Tuesday as the death toll surpassed 100 following the devastating flooding that took place in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend.
    Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • That contract, and Marner’s new 8x12 deal with the Golden Knights, easily eclipsed Day 1’s biggest mover, Gavrikov.
    Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Throughout most of the campaign, Jacinto ranked highly in all of these categories, eclipsed only by stars such as Mapi Leon, Aitana Bonmati, Claudia Pina and Caroline Graham Hansen of Barcelona.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Brazilian dystopian series 3% is another show that follows people who are struggling financially and enter a competition to better their lives.
    Skyler Trepel, People.com, 30 June 2025
  • Kate Hudson considered being emancipated from her parents, Goldie Hawn and Bill Hudson, to better her Hollywood career.
    Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstrip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstrip. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on outstrip

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