OUTSTRIP Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

outstrip

verb

ˌau̇t-ˈstrip

Definition of outstrip next

as in to exceed

to be greater, better, or stronger than before he had reached his teens, the child prodigy had outstripped his music teacher's abilities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lose (to)

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 Without these protections, even a highly capable model risks being deployed in ways that outstrip public understanding and erode trust. —

Torie Bosch, STAT, 20 June 2026 In short, the company’s losses far outstrip its sales. —

Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 17 June 2026 Demand for Rolex watches, in particular, will continue to outstrip supply, according to Simon Lazarus, head of PR and content at online luxury watch platform Chrono Hunter. —

Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 June 2026 Since then, however, revenues from Starlink have begun to significantly outstrip NASA’s contracts, and this will likely become even more true in the future. —

Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for outstrip

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstrip

Verb

And by the 12th year, this number rises to $113,000, exceeding the median salary for graduate degree-holders in the state, according to the data released by the UC’s Institutional Research and Academic Planning department.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Revenue from golf and resort properties exceeded $500 million in 2025, rising about 15% from the previous year, according to the filing.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of exceed

Verb

Gas and diesel prices didn’t surpass their 2022 highs.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Since her passing, Sonoma County experienced the most destructive wildfires in California history in 2017, only for another, more destructive fire to surpass it a year later.

— Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026