Synonyms

outrank

American

[out-rangk] / ˌaʊtˈræŋk /

verb (used with object)

to have a higher rank than.

A major outranks a captain in the army.

outrank British

/ ˌaʊtˈræŋk /

verb

to be of higher rank than
to take priority over

"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

Etymology

Origin of outrank

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; out- + rank ¹

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.

Across nearly every demographic, two values almost always outrank family.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

Here are a few quarters in software history that outrank Palantir’s latest results:

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

Tesla magnate Elon Musk and Bernard Arnault, the CEO of luxury retail brand LVMH, outrank both Washington billionaires.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2023

Speaking to Longwangmiao residents, Xi said he was concerned about disaster-stricken places, suggesting his domestic concerns outrank international ones.

From Reuters • Sep. 7, 2023

“Yes, sir. I may outrank you, sir, but you’re still my commanding officer.”

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023