outshine

[out-shahyn]

See more synonyms for outshine on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), out·shone or out·shined, out·shin·ing.

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), out·shone or out·shined, out·shin·ing.

to shine out or forth: a small light outshining in the darkness.

Origin of outshine

First recorded in 1590–1600; out- + shine¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for outshone

outperform, transcend, outplay, beat, exceed, excel, surpass, defeat

Examples from the Web for outshone

Contemporary Examples of outshone

The most notable fact of the whole encounter, however, is this: Donald Trump would have outshone any of them without even trying.
Fox News' GOP Debate Debacle
Matt Latimer
May 6, 2011
Theirs was “the wedding of the century,” outshone only by Charles and Diana 30 years later.
Last Role for Princess Grace
Sandra McElwaine
December 12, 2009

Historical Examples of outshone

Among the guests was the renowned Dyveke, who outshone all in beauty.
The Swedish Revolution Under Gustavus Vasa
Paul Barron Watson
If she ever outshone herself, and surpassed her own surpassing powers, it was to-night.
Eventide
Effie Afton
Among the distinguished Athenians of the day, only Phocion's outshone it.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 3 of 8
Various
Only the planets and the larger ones, the myriad of small ones were outshone.
A Little Girl in Old Quebec
Amanda Millie Douglas
The dancers, however, outshone them all in the gayness of their costume.
Mark Seaworth
William H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for outshone

outshine

verb -shines, -shining or -shone

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

Word Origin and History for outshone

outshine

1590s, from out (adv.) + shine (v.). Perhaps coined by Spenser. Figurative sense of "to surpass in splendor or excellence" is from 1610s. Related: Outshone; outshining.