Outpace
v.energetic, capableprofessional
What it means
To advance or perform faster than a comparison.
Reach for it when describing a rate of progress that moves convincingly ahead
Home insulation upgrades began to outpace the annual target.
Choose between these
6- playful
literal speed or vivid metaphor suits
not when Outrun sounds competitive in a measured report.
- everyday
overtake
someone moves from behind to ahead
not when Overtake describes a position change; outpace may begin in front.
- warm
being ahead matters most
not when Lead can describe position without faster progress.
- professional
exceed
a numerical target is crossed
not when Exceed compares amount, not pace.
- formal
growth leaves a comparison well behind
not when Outstrip can overstate a slight lead.
- formal
overall performance moves beyond a standard
not when Surpass does not specifically compare speed.
Said against
3- lag
- trail
- fall behind
It naturally appears in
3- outpace demand
New training places now outpace demand in three districts.
- outpace expectations
The seedlings continued to outpace expectations through spring.
- outpace the target
Community installations outpace the target for a second month.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English verb sense: progress faster than opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.