Synonyms

outgun

American

[out-guhn] / ˌaʊtˈgʌn /

verb (used with object)

outgunned, outgunning

to exceed in firepower.
to outdo or overwhelm, as by superior forces.

Local manufacturers have been outgunned by the overseas competition.

outgun British

/ ˌaʊtˈɡʌn /

verb

to surpass in fire power
to surpass in shooting
informal to surpass or excel

"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 outgun

First recorded in 1685–95; out- + gun 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.

It’s also a multinational racing operation hoping to outgun the likes of Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

The Austrian, along with teammates Vincent Kriechmayr, Raphael Haaser and Stefan Babinsky, will look to outgun Marco Odermatt's strong Swiss quartet and an Italian team including Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris for Olympic glory.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

Dubois is up against an improved Joshua who will outgun him in too many different departments.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2024

Massa and Bullrich both outgun Milei in terms of followers on X. But on TikTok, popular among younger people, Milei has 1.4 million followers, well ahead of Massa's 43,500 and Bullrich's 215,000.

From Reuters • Sep. 20, 2023

They will outgun me, but I notice something.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

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