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

According to 247 Sports metrics, USC’s group of decommitments would actually outrank its current class, which sits in 16th place nationally.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2024

Nevada, Arizona and Colorado currently outrank Washington, according to Rutgers data.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 25, 2023

“But I mean, Jarvis doesn’t outrank you or anything.”

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

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