outperform

American  

[out-per-fawrm] / ˌaʊt pərˈfɔrm /

verb (used with object)

1. to surpass in excellence of performance; do better than.

   a new engine that outperforms the competition; a stock that outperformed all others.

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outperform British  

/ ˌaʊtpəˈfɔːm /

verb

1. to perform better than (someone or something)

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Etymology

Origin of outperform

First recorded in 1955–60; out- + perform

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

The bank has an outperform rating on Regis, with a A$9.50 target.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

If the S&P 500 starts to outperform Russell 2000, then they will be obliged to shift weightings to avoid underperforming benchmarks.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Kenanga maintains an outperform rating on Bursa Malaysia and keeps target price at 9.25 ringgit.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

On emissions, Linh said she believes “incentives and innovation will always outperform heavy-handed mandates.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Desaguliers and a friend later built models of both the Savery and the Newcomen engines: despite his extraordinary expertise, Desaguliers was plainly taken aback to see the Savery engine outperform the Newcomen engine.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• exceed
• outrun
• surpass