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 For example, in 2024, luxury lifestyle brand Marc Jacobs saw one of its bags go viral on TikTok–only for demand to outstrip supply. —

Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 11 May 2026 Even in the absence of major unemployment shocks, inequality will likely increase as returns to capital exponentially outstrip those to labor. —

Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026 Petek’s latest cautionary report, issued this week, ramps up the language even more, detailing how general fund spending has increased by over $100 billion a year, outstripping revenues, since 2019, the year Newsom took office. —

Dan Walters, Oc Register, 4 May 2026 Wagner outstripped her fundraising, bringing in $182,000, but ended the period with less than $120,000 left in his account. —

Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outstrip

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstrip

Verb

Havana experienced a blackout that day that exceeded 20 hours, O Levy said.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 May 2026
Given his experience across different racing disciplines, does anything exceed the Indy 500?

— Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026