Outstrip
v.capable, energeticformal
What it means
To exceed others in progress, quality, or performance.
Reach for it when describing growth, demand, or performance that exceeds a comparator
Her progress began to outstrip even her coach's hopeful forecast.
Choose between these
6- playful
leave behind
a vivid informal gap is intended
not when The phrase can sound dismissive.
- everyday
overtake
a trailing quantity moves ahead
not when Overtake suggests sequence or movement.
- professional
exceed
a limit or quantity is crossed
not when Exceed can describe a tiny difference.
- professional
a faster rate creates the gap
not when Outpacing may be temporary.
- formal
a named measure is exceeded
not when Surpass does not imply rapid widening.
- literary
eclipse
one achievement makes another seem minor
not when The metaphor is dramatic and evaluative.
Said against
3- lag behind
- fall short of
- trail
It naturally appears in
3- outstrip demand
New supply began to outstrip demand by early spring.
- far outstrip
Her progress came to far outstrip the original forecast.
- outstrip the benchmark
After costs, the fund did not outstrip the benchmark.
Where this comes from
Outstrip needs a named measure and period; apparent excess can disappear after costs, risk, or denominator changes.
- wiktionary, English verb, surpass or exceed sense opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-27
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.