Synonyms

outshine

American

[out-shahyn] / ˌaʊtˈʃaɪn /

verb (used with object)

outshone, outshined, outshining

to surpass in shining; shine more brightly than.
to surpass in splendor, ability, achievement, excellence, etc..

a product that outshone all competitors; to outshine one's classmates.

verb (used without object)

outshone, outshined, outshining

to shine out or forth.

a small light outshining in the darkness.

outshine British

/ ˌaʊtˈʃaɪn /

verb

(tr) to shine more brightly than
(tr) to surpass in excellence, beauty, wit, etc
rare (intr) to emit light

"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 outshine

First recorded in 1590–1600; out- + shine 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.

In the new normal, black gold may outshine the original.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

These quasars can shine so intensely that they outshine their entire host galaxy.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

It felt as if the smaller Anthropic was on the ascent, threatening to outshine OpenAI.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Steakhouse sides, for instance, routinely outshine the steak itself.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

A green to outshine food colouring and flashing neon lights.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

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