outstrip

verb

out·​strip ˌau̇t-ˈstrip How to pronounce outstrip (audio)
outstripped; outstripping; outstrips
Synonyms of outstripnext

transitive verb

1
: to go faster or farther than
2
: to get ahead of
… has civilization outstripped the ability of its users to use it?—Margaret Mead

Synonyms of outstrip

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exceed, surpass, transcend, excel, outdo, outstrip mean to go or be beyond a stated or implied limit, measure, or degree.

exceed implies going beyond a limit set by authority or established by custom or by prior achievement.

exceed the speed limit

surpass suggests superiority in quality, merit, or skill.

the book surpassed our expectations

transcend implies a rising or extending notably above or beyond ordinary limits.

transcended the values of their culture

excel implies preeminence in achievement or quality and may suggest superiority to all others.

excels in mathematics

outdo applies to a bettering or exceeding what has been done before.

outdid herself this time

outstrip suggests surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped other firms in sales

Examples of outstrip in a Sentence

The new hotel outstrips all other hotels in the area in size and luxury. The fullback outstripped the defenders and scored a touchdown.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The chief executives of Intel and Broadcom have warned that access to capital could emerge as a major headwind to the AI boom, even as demand for computing infrastructure continues to outstrip supply. — Arjun Kharpal,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026 Since Western Australia’s Argyle Mine closed in 2020, the demand for pink diamonds has outstripped a rapidly dwindling supply. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026 By September’s end, GOP advertisers had more than doubled their spending compared with August, outstripping Democrats, according to tracker AdImpact. — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Part of our collective mounting dread is that this technology is far outstripping the ability, access, and time required to study its effects on human beings. — Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outstrip

Word History

Etymology

out- + obsolete strip to move fast

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outstrip was in 1567

Rhymes for outstrip

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Browse Nearby Words

outstrike
outstrip
outstroke
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Cite this Entry

“Outstrip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outstrip. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

outstrip

verb
out·​strip -ˈstrip How to pronounce outstrip (audio)
outstripped; outstripping
1
: to go faster or farther than
outstripped the other runners
2
a
: excel
outstripped all rivals
b
: exceed sense 1
demand outstrips supply
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