Synonyms

outdo

American

[out-doo] / ˌaʊtˈdu /

verb (used with object)

outdid, outdone, outdoing

to surpass in execution or performance.

The cook outdid himself last night.

outdo British

/ ˌaʊtˈduː /

verb

(tr) to surpass or exceed in performance or execution

"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

Related Words

See excel.

Etymology

Origin of outdo

First recorded in 1600–20; out-, do ¹

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.

“We’re all working towards those goals. ... I very much appreciate our athletes really wanting to outdo themselves, outdo each other but with respect and at the highest level possible.”

From Los Angeles Times

O’Hara’s disdain for that character is only outdone by her affection for Moira Rose, of whom one can say the same.

From Salon

China, with a large and growing supply of scientists and engineers, has outdone all of these countries.

From The Wall Street Journal

Not to be outdone, members of Led Zeppelin threw televisions from the windows of Seattle’s Edgewater Hotel into the waters of Elliot Bay.

From The Wall Street Journal

Paul and George each have a brief original Christmas tune to offer, and not to be outdone, John and Yoko offer their own seasonal duet.

From Salon

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