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 Demand always vastly outstrips supply — in the 2025 fiscal year lottery, more than 470,000 people applied. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025 Because nationwide, property tax collections went up nearly 7% last year, easily outstripping inflation. Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025 Comedy Series Freshman comedy Apple TV+’s The Studio had a record 23 nominations, far outstripping last year’s much-deserving upset winner Hacks, which has 14 noms this year. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025 Although it’s found being generated in many places, from outflows in Herbig-Haro objects to planetary nebulae, one origin story for dust outstrips all others. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outstrip
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstrip
Verb
  • If qualified patients opt to pay in monthly installments, those payments shouldn’t exceed 6% of their household income — and the remaining debt gets wiped after about three years of paying.
    Rae Ellen Bichell, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The nonprofit set up a series of decibel readers throughout downtown to count how many times the sound level exceeded the thresholds covered by the city’s noise ordinance.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Rival studio estimates are even higher, with some predicting the film could surpass $35 million in its opening weekend.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The first movie was a surprise post-quarantine box office success, surpassing $161 million worldwide.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The total domestic box office gross hasn’t eclipsed $9 billion since.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Organizers announced an official attendance of 112,408, eclipsing the 110,905 mark set by George Strait at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field last year.
    Joel Hoard, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Buruk was part of the Galatasaray team that won four in a row between 1996 and 2000, under Fatih Terim, so the prospect of equalling and even bettering that record (no Turkish team has ever won more Super Ligs in a row) is enough to get you out of bed in the morning.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • But throughout each phase of photography, Petsch imposed her will in order to better the product on the screen.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outstrip.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstrip. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on outstrip

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