outstanding
adjective
out·stand·ing
au̇t-ˈstan-diŋ 
ˈau̇t-ˌstan-
1
: standing out : projecting
stood on an outstanding rock
2
a
: unpaid
left several bills outstanding
b
: continuing to exist : unresolved
a long outstanding problem in astronomy
was arrested on … an outstanding warrant on a domestic violence charge—
Kathy Hogan
Kathy Hogan
c
of securities
: publicly issued and sold
has 20,000 shares outstanding
3
a
: standing out from a group : conspicuous
There are some outstanding exceptions to this rule.
b
: marked by eminence and distinction
an outstanding student
an outstanding achievement
Examples of outstanding in a Sentence
Tonight we will honor the school's most outstanding students.
You did an outstanding job on the project.
the outstanding quality of your work
a wine that is outstanding in quality
As a president, he was outstanding in many ways.
Her novels are outstanding for their complex characters and interesting plots.
The painting is an outstanding example of the artist's style.
Outstanding among the menu items were the tomato soup and the swordfish.
She had several outstanding parking tickets in her car.
He left a balance of 50 dollars outstanding on his account.
Recent Examples on the Web
Erivo’s penchant for complexity also earned her an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of quintuplets known as the Kazinsky sisters in Poker Face.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
The deal, which has been unanimously approved by a special committee of DigitalBridge’s board of directors, will see SoftBank acquire all the outstanding common stock of DigitalBridge for $16 per share in cash.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
The other outstanding question for Minnesota's final game is whether superstar Justin Jefferson will pass the 1,000-yard threshold.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Owner Stephen Ross, caretaker of the mess for the past 17 of these seasons, has somehow managed to ambitiously create a multi-use wonderland of the Hard Rock Stadium facility without once putting an outstanding team on the football field.
—Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outstanding
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Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
The deal, which has been unanimously approved by a special committee of DigitalBridge’s board of directors, will see SoftBank acquire all the outstanding common stock of DigitalBridge for $16 per share in cash.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
The other outstanding question for Minnesota's final game is whether superstar Justin Jefferson will pass the 1,000-yard threshold.
—Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 29 Dec. 2025
Owner Stephen Ross, caretaker of the mess for the past 17 of these seasons, has somehow managed to ambitiously create a multi-use wonderland of the Hard Rock Stadium facility without once putting an outstanding team on the football field.
—Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outstanding
Cite this Entry
“Outstanding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outstanding. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outstanding
adjective
out·stand·ing
-ˈstan-diŋ
1
: sticking out : projecting
2
a
: not yet paid : unpaid
outstanding bills
b
: continuing in being : unresolved
problems outstanding
3
: attracting notice especially because of excellence
an outstanding scholar
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