outclassed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outclassed by" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone or something is surpassed in quality, skill, or performance by another. Example: "The team's performance was outclassed by their rivals in the championship." Alternative expressions include "surpassed by" and "outperformed by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Technology

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Consistently outclassed" by foreign dancers?

The Guardian

During that first game, the Yankees were thoroughly outclassed by the star pitcher, Cliff Lee.

The New York Times

But the boom lasted only till the mid-1980s, when Silicon Valley's chip industry found itself outclassed by Japanese competitors.

The Economist

The Associated Press report described a "willing and rugged workman" being "completely outclassed" by a "skinny negro swatter".

The Guardian - Sport

In short, it was pretty good, though fundamentally outclassed by a fresh brew.

TechCrunch

Sock, 22, was outclassed by second seed Federer 6-3 6-3.

BBC

But if you drive the Aero, be prepared to be outclassed by owners of the Lamborghini Reventón.

Forbes

Wilkin played in the final of the tournament in 2009 , when the team were outclassed by Australia at Elland Road.

BBC

Mike Phelan's side might have been comfortably outclassed by Arsenal here, but the scoreline perhaps flattered the visitors.

BBC

A young Donegal side were outclassed by Kerry in Letterkenny although they managed to finish just three points behind.

BBC

But a second-tier club, very much outclassed by its superiors.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outclassed by" to clearly express a disparity in skill, quality, or performance between two subjects. Ensure the context provides a clear comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "outclassed by" when the difference is marginal or subjective. The phrase suggests a significant and demonstrable gap in performance or quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outclassed by" functions as a comparative adjective phrase indicating that one entity has been surpassed or outperformed by another. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to describe disparities in skill, quality, or technological advancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Sports

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Technology

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outclassed by" effectively conveys a significant disparity in skill, quality, or performance. According to Ludwig, it functions as a comparative adjective phrase suitable for various contexts, particularly news, sports, and technology. While grammatically correct and frequently used, ensure the difference is substantial and demonstrable. Consider alternatives like "surpassed by" or "eclipsed by" to fine-tune the nuance. With an expert rating of 4.5, this phrase is a valuable tool for clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outdone by

Highlights being outperformed or exceeded in achievement.

surpassed by

Focuses on exceeding a certain level or standard.

bested by

Suggests being defeated or overcome in a contest.

eclipsed by

Emphasizes overshadowing or diminishing in importance.

overshadowed by

Highlights the act of another entity stealing the spotlight.

rendered inferior by

Signifies being made lesser in quality or status.

dominated by

Implies being controlled or overpowered.

shown up by

Indicates being embarrassingly outdone.

proven weaker than

Focuses on physical or competitive inferiority.

second to

Highlights placement in a ranking or hierarchy.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "outclassed by" someone?

To be "outclassed by" someone means to be significantly surpassed or outperformed in skill, quality, or ability.

What can I say instead of "outclassed by"?

You can use alternatives like "surpassed by", "eclipsed by", or "outdone by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it formal or informal to say "outclassed by"?

"Outclassed by" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general discussions. The formality often depends on the surrounding language.

How do I use "outclassed by" in a sentence?

Use "outclassed by" to compare two subjects where one is clearly superior to the other. For example: "The home team was completely "outclassed by" the visitors."