Outgrow
What it means
To develop beyond an earlier limit, need, or habit.
Reach for it when describing development beyond an earlier size, habit, need, or limitation
With practice, children often outgrow their fear of deep water.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday |
|
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
-
everyday
become too large for
Fits when literal size is the intended sense
Careful Habits and institutions need the figurative verb.
-
everyday
grow beyond
Fits when a transparent developmental phrase is best
Careful The phrase is longer but preserves the metaphor.
-
warm
mature past
Fits when development changes an earlier behavior
Careful Maturity language can shame age-appropriate needs.
-
professional
move beyond
Fits when a person or system leaves a limitation behind
Careful Movement can be chosen without organic growth.
-
formal
Fits when a limit is surpassed in an elevated frame
Careful Transcend can sound grand for ordinary change.
-
literary
leave behind
Fits when a former pattern no longer fits
Careful Leaving behind can imply rejection rather than development.
Opposites 3
- remain within
- regress into
- grow into
Common phrases 3
-
outgrow a fear
With patient practice, children can outgrow a fear of deep water.
-
outgrow old habits
The team began to outgrow old habits of silent decision-making.
-
quickly outgrow
The seedling will quickly outgrow this shallow pot.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
People do not simply outgrow every fear, disability, interest, or support need; the verb should not dismiss ongoing experience.
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