Words of Positivity
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Outstander

n.capable, joyfulplayful

What it means

Something remarkably good that stands above its peers.

Reach for it when calling an unusually excellent person or thing that stands above peers

Among the finalists, the quiet documentary was the true outstander.

Choose between these

5
  • playful

    winner

    a completed contest has selected the best result

    not when An outstander need not enter a contest.

  • everyday

    standout

    the familiar informal noun is preferred

    not when A standout may attract notice through novelty rather than excellence.

  • warm

    star

    a conspicuously excellent contributor deserves praise

    not when Star language can obscure teamwork.

  • professional

    front-runner

    current leadership in a selection is meant

    not when A front-runner has not necessarily won.

  • literary

    paragon

    an exemplary model of a quality is intended

    not when Paragon is elevated and much stronger.

Said against

3
  • also-ran
  • underperformer
  • mediocrity

It naturally appears in

3
  • real outstander

    Among the finalists, the quiet documentary was the real outstander.

  • clear outstander

    The repairable model emerged as the clear outstander.

  • an outstander among

    Her patient explanation was an outstander among the submissions.

Where this comes from

Outstander is rare and may look like an error; standout is the idiomatic modern choice.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.