outstrip
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to outdo; surpass; excel.
-
to outdo or pass in running or swift travel.
A car can outstrip the local train.
-
to get ahead of or leave behind in a race or in any course of competition.
-
to exceed.
a demand that outstrips the supply.
verb
-
to surpass in a sphere of activity, competition, etc
-
to be or grow greater than
-
to go faster than and leave behind
Etymology
Origin of outstrip
Explanation
While outstrip might make you think about undressing, it really means outdoing. If the productivity of your garden outstrips your neighbor's, expect the neighborhood to come calling for fresh vegetables. If one thing outstrips another, it exceeds it or goes beyond it. When you outstrip someone during a race, you pass them. When one company’s profits outstrip another’s, they make more money. When the productivity of one nation outstrips the neighboring nation, they will have a bigger Gross National Product.
Vocabulary lists containing outstrip
Flowers for Algernon
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Grendel
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Sapiens
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
That would offer a boost to its margins, he said, as demand will likely continue to outstrip supply in the near term.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026
In recent months, the proliferation of agentic AI, or autonomous tools that can perform tasks on their own, has caused demand for computing power to far outstrip supply.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
Bank of America analysts reinstated coverage of the company with a “Buy” rating late last month, saying demand for its services is likely to outstrip supply through at least 2029.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
Applied Digital stock is up 13% so far this year after a strong 2025, soaring 221% to outstrip a 20% gain for the tech-heavy Nasdaq in the same span.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
They weren’t armed, but on the other hand they were flying easily within their power, and might even outstrip her if it came to a chase.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
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.
