outgun
Americanverb (used with object)
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to exceed in firepower.
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to outdo or overwhelm, as by superior forces.
Local manufacturers have been outgunned by the overseas competition.
verb
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to surpass in fire power
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to surpass in shooting
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informal to surpass or excel
Etymology
Origin of outgun
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:
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
After listening to Woolf and Pollard discussing strategy, David Alexander asked them if he could state in print that Seabiscuit would outgun War Admiral for the early lead.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
The rapid response from the Secret Service was impressive and had this attack been orchestrated by more than an individual it is clear that the responding force wouldn’t have been outgunned.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026
They had outgunned Scotland, routing them at the breakdown, stifling their lethal runners, battering them in the collisions.
From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2026
But the island's forces would be massively outnumbered and outgunned in a conflict with China.
From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026
Plus, Dina and Ellie are outnumbered and outgunned – all the better, since everyone loves underdogs.
From Salon ● May 26, 2025
“And how will you take him from me? You are outgunned and surrounded.”
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Some of the most popular titles in the world, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty, are focused on outgunning, outrunning or outclassing opponents.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2025
Milley said that the Russians have “demonstrated that they are outgunning and outranging Ukrainian artillery” so far in fighting in the eastern Donbas region, which has become the primary emphasis in Russian operations.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 8, 2022
But now that the rotation is further depleted, it’ll be an even taller task for this powerful lineup outgunning a Boston team whose offense has outpaced everyone this postseason.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 16, 2021
The Brooklyn Nets were the biggest winners in the East in free agency, signing two of the top players available — and outgunning the New York Knicks to get them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2019
The combined forces of the Central Powers amounted to some two million men, outnumbering the Russians by at least half a million, and outgunning them completely.
From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 3: Estremoz to Felspar by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
