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
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
But analysts are concerned that AI investment is outstripping earnings.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
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
But analysts are concerned that AI investment is outstripping earnings.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outstripping
Verb
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The 43-point defeat was the worst in program history, surpassing a 31-point loss to Texas in 1984.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The country’s trade hit a record high last year, surpassing 3 trillion Malaysian ringgit ($780 billion).—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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States that automatically send every report to police are far exceeding federal requirements, experts said.—
Shoshana Walter,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Shares of networking equipment company Cisco have rallied about 18% since reporting its latest quarter in mid-November, greatly exceeding the S & P 500 gain of about 2% over the same time period.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With current policies and spending, the country’s national debt will surge to 120% of GDP by 2030, eclipsing the previous record of 106% set right after World War II.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Week leading up, the game dominated headlines, alongside and even eclipsing the war.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Notable versions include those by Johnny Cash, John Denver, John Fogerty, and a 1976 chart-topping version by Lynn Anderson, as well as recent interpretations by Sturgill Simpson and Kelsey Waldon.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
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The title is also riding high across South Asia, including chart-topping or near-the-top placement in markets such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, reinforcing the film’s regional pull beyond its home base.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outstripping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outstripping. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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