outperform
Americanverb (used with object)
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outperforms,
present (3rd person singular)
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outperformed,
past participle, past
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outperforming
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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outperformsimple
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outperformssimple
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have outperformedperfect
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has outperformedperfect
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am outperformingprogressive
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are outperformingprogressive
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is outperformingprogressive
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have been outperformingperfect progressive
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has been outperformingperfect progressive
Past
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outperformedsimple
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had outperformedperfect
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was outperformingprogressive
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were outperformingprogressive
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had been outperformingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of outperform
Explanation
To outperform is to accomplish something in a better or more impressive way that someone else. In a marathon, the younger runners usually outperform the very oldest ones. Whenever you surpass or beat the record of another person, you can say you outperform them. Experienced workers frequently outperform newer employees, and pundits like to worry aloud about students in other countries who outperform American kids on standardized tests. You can also say that an investment that makes more money outperforms a less profitable one.
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 could mean the equal-weight index is due to outperform SPY for some time longer.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 18, 2026
What stands out is that implied correlations have been suppressed since January 2023, around the same time SPY began to outperform RSP.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 18, 2026
Macquarie retains an outperform call on Paladin, but cuts its price target by 6.1% to A$13.00/share.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
These upgrades could eventually allow nuclear clocks to outperform existing atomic clocks and establish a new standard for measuring time.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026
“I was always trying to out-think, outperform, even out-dress my competitors. It was wearing me down.”
From "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake
According to Trivariate’s analysis, an investor who consistently ranks in the 70th percentile of stock picking outperforms the S&P 500 when rebalancing annually.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026
"We compared phase space distance with the sphericity variable and our conclusion is that phase space distance outperforms sphericity," Zhang said.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026
The company says its model outperforms some cutting-edge U.S. systems, the latest sign that Chinese labs can rival American counterparts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
In terms of attacking metrics for their clubs this season, Mbappe outperforms Haaland in shots, touches and chances created, although the City striker recorded more assists in 2025-26.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
Its total incident rate — a metric that measures the frequency of workplace injuries and illnesses — outperforms the industry average by 14%, the company said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026
Coca-Cola has outperformed in part because it handed its bottling back to independent operators and focused headquarters on building brands.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
My auditing firm tracks many additional newsletters that have outperformed those on my firm’s honor roll — as you can see from these performance scoreboards.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
“ASML has outperformed its semiconductor equipment peers in a weak semiconductor tape in the past quarter.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
The carrier’s stock has outperformed its rivals heading into third-quarter earnings season.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
Sponsored by Kagen, the resolution recognized the accomplishments of the 13 women who outshined and outperformed their male counterparts—but were never allowed to fly into space.
From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson
High-yield bonds were broadly declining Wednesday, yet they’re outperforming the broader U.S. investment-grade fixed-income market so far this year against the backdrop of a still-solid economy.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
Roberto Soldado was in front of him in the team, and nobody wanted Roberto to do well more than me - but every single day in training Harry was outperforming him.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Despite outperforming other fast food chains and posting impressive same-store sales, the Mexican-inspired chain Taco Bell has taken a hit after being linked to Cyclospora.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026
And so far, they are outperforming most of the accounts he runs himself.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026
Whatever triggered Peeta's decision -and I suspect it had to do with my outperforming him in training -I should be nothing but grateful for it.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
