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 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 growth rate notably outstrips both the broader market and most pharmaceutical competitors, indicating successful product commercialization and market share gains. —

Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 Evidence of a rapid growth in cities between the twelfth and eighth centuries BCE and of food shortages as early as the tenth century BCE suggests that the population may have outstripped the productivity of the land. —

Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outstrip

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstrip

Verb

California’s cannabis tax revenue exceeded $500 million in the first half of 2025.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Naumov doesn’t enter with the same pressure as Malinin but has already exceeded expectations in his mind.

— Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026