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Synonyms

outpace

American  
[aut-pays] / ˌaʊtˈpeɪs /

verb (used with object)

  • outpaces,
    present (3rd person singular)
  • outpaced,
    past participle,  past
  • outpacing
    present participle
  1. to surpass or exceed, as in speed, development, or performance.

    a company that has consistently outpaced the competition in sales.


outpace British  
/ aʊtˈpeɪs /

verb

  1. to run or move faster than (someone or something else)

"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

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of outpace

First recorded in 1565–75; out- + pace 1

Explanation

To outpace is to move faster or to improve more quickly than someone else. A runner who outpaces everyone else will win the race. You can brag that your bicycle outpaces your friend's motorcycle, or comment that a six year-old easily outpaces her little brother at the playground. There are also companies that outpace their competition, by developing a new technology or product faster. Economists often talk about prices, sales, or growth that outpaces previous examples.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing outpace

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:

Counsel to the inquiry Teniola Onabanjo asked Harry if NHS England recognised that the enthusiasm for innovation might "outpace" the scrutiny of consent and ethics when it comes to camera technology.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

Saudi banks could face particular pressure as loan growth continues to outpace deposits, making sukuk an increasingly important source of longer-term funding.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Amodei warned in his essay that AI was rapidly improving itself, through a process known as recursive self-improvement, which threatened to outpace humans’ ability to control it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

As employers brace for a fresh round of rising healthcare costs that outpace inflation, the stakes are getting higher for companies to contain spending on treatments such as popular GLP-1 medications for weight loss.

From Barron's ● Sep. 6, 2026

“We’ve got to outpace it,” DeShon says, his voice low, steady.

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

These layoffs come as New York outpaces the San Francisco area in recruiting tech talent.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

“This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs,” said Sid Shuman, Sony’s senior director of content communications.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

"This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," it added.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

"This is a natural direction for Sony Interactive Entertainment to adapt to consumer trends as the general preference for digital media significantly outpaces physical discs," the company said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

She quickly outpaces me, and seconds later, I’m behind her by at least six feet.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Now, the attempted hijacking by co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami is raising questions about whether FlyDubai’s push for growth has outpaced its ability to recruit and vet the people it entrusts to fly its planes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Shares of Micron have risen 266% so far this year, but the price-to-earnings multiple has actually come down since the end of 2025 as expectations for earnings growth have outpaced the stock rally.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

The renewables' build out has significantly outpaced transmission infrastructure, a point of major concern for policymakers.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

The Pokémon card market outpaced both the S&P 500 and Bitcoin over the past three months, according to reporting from CNBC.

From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026

With a power of perception that far outpaced his era, Burnham recognized that the tiniest details would shape the way people judged the exposition.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Farm bankruptcies jumped 46 percent from 2024 to 2025, with the Midwest outpacing other regions, on lower revenue and rising expenses.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

Now, home values are up to $368,700, according to Zillow, outpacing income, which in 2025 was up to $87,460.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

Against that dystopian backdrop, goofball mechanical athletes may be doing something far more valuable for their creators than outpacing our greatest sporting achievements: They’re making machines relatable.

From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026

Tech is up around 7.5% so far this quarter, easily outpacing the S&P 500’s advance of more than 3% during the third quarter.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 26, 2026

He whips down the path, outpacing other players easily.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

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