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Showing results for outdistance. Search instead for outdistancing.
Synonyms

outdistance

American  
[out-dis-tuhns] / ˌaʊtˈdɪs təns /

verb (used with object)

outdistanced, outdistancing
  1. to leave behind, as in running; outstrip.

    The winning horse outdistanced the second-place winner by five lengths.


outdistance British  
/ ˌaʊtˈdɪstəns /

verb

  1. (tr) to leave far behind

"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 outdistance

First recorded in 1855–60; out- + distance

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.

See Examples For:

Senior Kenneth Devis won the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke for the third year in a row and led off the 4x100 freestyle relay as the Highlanders amassed 473 points to far outdistance runner-up Palisades.

From Los Angeles Times May 11, 2025

She finished with 208.17 points to outdistance 15-year-old American Isabeau Levito, who leaped from fifth place after her short program to take silver.

From Seattle Times Dec. 10, 2022

They earned 55 of 63 first-place votes to easily outdistance No. 2 UCLA, which earned the other eight.

From Fox News Oct. 18, 2021

If it is right, it will increase its workers’ loyalty and outdistance earthbound competitors.

From New York Times Jul. 23, 2021

It was surprising that he could run at all, let alone outdistance the others.

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep

While gold miner stocks have outdistanced gold during the first 50 weeks of the year, they were hit hard when gold hit a rough patch this fall.

From Barron's Dec. 16, 2025

The $56-million opening weekend outdistanced other heavily hyped fare such as “The Fall Guy” and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.”

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 9, 2024

As performances outdistanced the date of composition with each passing year, opera began to resemble an attempt at historical preservation rather than a dynamic art form.

From Salon Oct. 6, 2024

Arraez did not start any of Miami’s last seven games because of a sprained left ankle and easily outdistanced Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr., who was second at .337.

From Seattle Times Oct. 1, 2023

Hen Wen had either stopped running or had outdistanced him.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

"We're at 316 at noon, so we are outdistancing anything this particular precinct has ever seen."

From Salon Nov. 5, 2024

The Boilermakers picked up three more first-place votes and had 49 of 63 from the national media panel, easily outdistancing second-place Kansas, which received five first-place nods.

From Washington Times Jan. 1, 2024

In his remarks to volunteers, Newsom focused largely on Elder, who since joining the race has emerged as the front-runner in fundraising and polling, outdistancing 23 other Republicans on the ballot.

From Seattle Times Aug. 13, 2021

They topped 60 of 65 ballots in voting results, easily outdistancing No. 2 Kentucky and No. 3 Kansas as the only other teams to receive first-place votes.

From New York Times Oct. 21, 2019

They walked briskly, outdistancing loitering kids homeward bound from the junk shops.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

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