outclass

American

[out-klas, -klahs] / ˌaʊtˈklæs, -ˈklɑs /

verb (used with object)

to surpass in excellence or quality, especially by a wide margin; be superior.

He far outclasses the other runners in the race.

outclass British

/ ˌaʊtˈklɑːs /

verb

to surpass in class, quality, etc
to defeat easily

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of outclass

First recorded in 1865–70; out- + class

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But a ruthless France scored five tries in a clinical display to outclass Ireland on their own patch.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2025

These quantum technologies draw on quantum physics to process information in ways that outclass their traditional counterparts and are expected to improve areas as varied as medicine, finance and communication.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2024

Trying to outclass schools such as Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in addition to the likes of Oregon and USC will be, too.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

The new tanks are supposed to outclass their Soviet-era counterparts, which both Ukraine and Russian forces have been using.

From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2023

While M. Arman was at work in France, the Laird Brothers were at work in England and their dockyards contained two ironclad rams supposed to outclass any vessels of the United States navy.

From The Day of the Confederacy; a chronicle of the embattled South by Stephenson, Nathaniel W. (Nathaniel Wright)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023