as in surpassing
to be greater, better, or stronger than
before he had reached his teens, the child prodigy had outstripped his music teacher's abilities
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Recent Examples of outstripping
Share appreciation is a sign that demand is outstripping supply at the current price level.
—
Zev Fima, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
Primerica’s research reports that nearly seven out of 10 households (69%) say the costs of living are outstripping their income.
—Mark Davis, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
In 2025, a staggering 623,000 people claimed to be home health and personal assistants, making it by far the biggest occupation in the state, far outstripping retail salespersons, nurses or cashiers and waitresses.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
The nonpartisan office attributed that to state spending outstripping revenue.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The shortage market is outstripping sustainable energy’s capacity.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Dec. 2025
Another area in which China’s high-end capabilities are already outstripping those of the United States is in airborne long-range early warning and command system (AWACS) aircraft.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
By some metrics the economy isn't doing badly — the White House has been pointing to falling gas prices and the fact that wages have been outstripping inflation.
—December 12, NPR, 12 Dec. 2025
Tech giants justify that spending by saying demand is outstripping supply.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Zev Fima, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
Primerica’s research reports that nearly seven out of 10 households (69%) say the costs of living are outstripping their income.
—Mark Davis, USA Today, 20 Jan. 2026
In 2025, a staggering 623,000 people claimed to be home health and personal assistants, making it by far the biggest occupation in the state, far outstripping retail salespersons, nurses or cashiers and waitresses.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
The nonpartisan office attributed that to state spending outstripping revenue.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The shortage market is outstripping sustainable energy’s capacity.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 18 Dec. 2025
Another area in which China’s high-end capabilities are already outstripping those of the United States is in airborne long-range early warning and command system (AWACS) aircraft.
—Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
By some metrics the economy isn't doing badly — the White House has been pointing to falling gas prices and the fact that wages have been outstripping inflation.
—December 12, NPR, 12 Dec. 2025
Tech giants justify that spending by saying demand is outstripping supply.
—Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstripping
Verb
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December 2025 through February 2026 was the warmest on record for Phoenix, surpassing the record set just last winter by nearly three degrees, the National Weather Service office in Phoenix said on social media.—
Christian Cervantes,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026
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The veterans have thrived in Kinne's offense for two seasons, each surpassing 1,000 yards in 2025.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the company used the same show to highlight its new take on the Mustang muscle car — a version called the Dark Horse SC with horsepower exceeding 500 and a price expected to top $90,000.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Several consultancies now require AI proficiency for some hires, with a focus on exceeding what a client could generate using the tech themselves.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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China contributed $407 million to that tally – its best-ever Imax performance, eclipsing the previous record set in 2019 by 5% – while Asia ex-China added a further $230 million, also the highest ever for that grouping.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Feb. 2026
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As solid as Bridgeman was playing the first three rounds, eclipsing Wadkins’ record seemed almost inevitable.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Furniture Quartz surfaces are also ideal for topping furniture, particularly those high-touch, spill-prone pieces, like coffee and dining tables.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The blasts, both with exit velocities topping 107 mph, briefly tied the game.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outstripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstripping. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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