outpace

American  

[out-peys] / ˌaʊtˈpeɪs /

verb (used with object)

outpaced, outpacing

1. to surpass or exceed, as in speed, development, or performance.

   a company that has consistently outpaced the competition in sales.

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outpace British  

/ aʊtˈpeɪs /

verb

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

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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.

Example Sentences

The company continues to expect a flattish networks market this year, but it said it is confident in its ability to outpace the sector.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The U.S. does outpace China in private sector funding.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Wage growth accelerated again last month, and continues to outpace annual consumer price inflation, which has hovered around the central bank’s 2% target for about two years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

In fact, Anthropic cautioned that the model’s more powerful cybersecurity capabilities will be able to “exploit vulnerabilities in ways that far outpace the efforts of defender,” according to the leaked blog post.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

There was no point in trying to outpace the CCD boat; they’d have to hide, and the only hiding place in sight was a wooded hill with an overgrown grassy space just above the waterline.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• beat
• dominate
• eclipse
• excel
• outdistance
• outdo
• outmatch
• outperform
• outplay
• outrun
• outshine