outperform

American  

[out-per-fawrm] / ˌaʊt pərˈfɔrm /

verb (used with object)

1. to surpass in excellence of performance; do better than.

   a new engine that outperforms the competition; a stock that outperformed all others.

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outperform British  

/ ˌaʊtpəˈfɔːm /

verb

1. to perform better than (someone or something)

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Etymology

Origin of outperform

First recorded in 1955–60; out- + perform

Explanation

To outperform is to accomplish something in a better or more impressive way that someone else. In a marathon, the younger runners usually outperform the very oldest ones. Whenever you surpass or beat the record of another person, you can say you outperform them. Experienced workers frequently outperform newer employees, and pundits like to worry aloud about students in other countries who outperform American kids on standardized tests. You can also say that an investment that makes more money outperforms a less profitable one.

Example Sentences

AI and the cross-selling of products are driving strong customer retention, the firm said, reiterating an Outperform rating and bumping its price target to $200 from $170.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Oppenheimer initiates Palantir with an Outperform rating and a $200 target, citing Palantir’s AI platform and growing government and commercial markets.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

Mizuho has an Outperform rating on the shares.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

Gregg Moskowitz downgraded shares of Adobe to Neutral from Outperform and cut his price target to $270 from $315 on Monday.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

He rates the shares Outperform and has a $285 price target.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Related Words

• exceed
• outrun
• surpass