Outclass
What it means
To prove clearly superior in quality or skill.
Reach for it when describing performance clearly superior in skill or quality
Her final design managed to outclass every costlier alternative.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
-
playful
leave behind
Fits when the superiority is broad and vivid
Careful The phrase can sound contemptuous.
-
everyday
beat
Fits when a direct contest result is all that matters
Careful Beating an opponent may involve a narrow margin.
-
warm
Fits when superiority is conspicuous and admirable
Careful Outshine can focus on attention rather than skill.
-
professional
Fits when measured results are better
Careful Performance data may not reflect overall class.
-
formal
Fits when one result exceeds another on a named measure
Careful Surpass does not imply a large gap.
-
literary
eclipse
Fits when one achievement makes another seem minor
Careful Eclipse is dramatic and can belittle others.
Opposites 3
- trail
- underperform
- lose to
Common phrases 3
-
clearly outclass
The handmade lens continued to clearly outclass the imported model.
-
outclass the field
Her careful design managed to outclass the field on durability.
-
completely outclass
The larger team did not completely outclass the determined newcomers.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Outclass is strongly comparative and can demean people; name the performance dimension when possible.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated