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Synonyms

outstanding

American  
[out-stan-ding] / ˌaʊtˈstæn dɪŋ /

adjective

  1. prominent; conspicuous; striking.

    an outstanding example of courage.
    Synonyms:
    eminent

  2. marked by superiority or distinction; excellent; distinguished.

    an outstanding student.

  3. continuing in existence; remaining unsettled, unpaid, etc..

    outstanding debts.
    Synonyms:
    due, owing

  4. (of securities and the like) publicly issued and sold or in circulation.

  5. standing out; projecting.

    a stiff, outstanding fabric.

  6. Archaic. that resists or opposes.

outstanding British  
/ ˌaʊtˈstændɪŋ /

adjective

  1. superior; excellent; distinguished

  2. prominent, remarkable, or striking

  3. still in existence; unsettled, unpaid, or unresolved

  4. (of shares, bonds, etc) issued and sold

  5. projecting or jutting upwards or outwards

"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

Other Word Forms

  • outstandingly adverb
  • outstandingness noun

Etymology

Origin of outstanding

First recorded in 1605–15; outstand + -ing 2

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.

His outstanding technical ability helped elevate the team and his strong crossing ability helped create many goals and chances for his team-mates.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

It limited redemption requests for its fund Blue Owl Credit Income Corp., known as OCIC, at 5% of shares outstanding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Under the terms of the arrangement, Biogen will pay $41 a share for all shares outstanding of Apellis—a steep premium to the stock’s closing price of $17.09 on Monday.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Rocket Lab had more than 567 million shares outstanding as of Feb. 20.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

This situation also explains the otherwise mystifying fact that certain outstanding entomologists are among the leading advocates of chemical control.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.