To succeed more effectively than a competitor.
Reach for it when describing success in gaining more demand, resources, or reproductive advantage than a rival
The cooperative learned to outcompete larger farms through exceptional freshness.
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
everyday
beat
Fits when a clear contest outcome is meant
Careful Beat is informal and omits the competitive mechanism.
everyday
gain an edge over
Fits when a modest competitive advantage is accurate
Careful An edge may be temporary and narrow.
professional
displace
Fits when one organism or offer takes another's place
Careful Displacement can occur without direct competition.
professional
Fits when measured results are better
Careful Better performance does not necessarily win market share.
formal
Fits when a named measure is exceeded
Careful Surpassing one measure may not decide competition.
literary
prevail over
Fits when eventual victory suits elevated prose
Careful Prevailing says little about how the contest worked.
outcompete larger rivals
The cooperative used freshness to outcompete larger rivals.
outcompete on quality
Local repair shops can outcompete on quality and trust.
ability to outcompete
Deep roots gave the native grass an ability to outcompete weeds.
Keep in mind
Outcompete should identify the arena, time frame, and measure; success may also reflect subsidy, exclusion, or externalized cost.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
Your browser isn't saving lists, so this one will be cleared when you leave the page.