outdone by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outdone by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has been surpassed or exceeded in performance or quality by another person or thing. Example: "Despite her best efforts, she felt outdone by her competitor's impressive presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

You got outdone by Canibus, the young gun.

The New York Times

"I don't want to be outdone by Kathryn," says Andrew.

The Guardian - Sport

But even these events are outdone by the Sanskrit Mahabharata.

The New Yorker

Lincoln's willingness to suspend the writ was matched, if not outdone, by the zeal of Seward.

The New York Times

NOT to be outdone by the world's central bankers, some Peruvians have taken to printing money.

The Economist

It is outdone by Oldman's film, with its count of 428 – a particularly brisk 3.34fpm.

Independent

Arguably, Scott's assertion was outdone by David Perdue, the former corporate executive who represents Georgia.

The New Yorker

Both were outdone by Mark Wilson, a two-time tour winner.

The New York Times - Sports

We got outdone by a world-class player in the end".

The Guardian - Sport

"We got outdone by a world-class player in the end, Ardley said.

The Guardian - Sport

Ireland, in particular, seemed determined not to be outdone by Robinho.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outdone by", ensure the subject being surpassed is clearly identified to maintain clarity and context. For example, "His performance was "outdone by" her exceptional skill".

Common error

Avoid using "outdone by" when an active voice construction would be more direct and effective. For instance, instead of 'The record was "outdone by" the new champion', consider 'The new champion outdid the record'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outdone by" functions as part of the passive voice, indicating that the subject of the sentence has been surpassed or exceeded by someone or something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English and is supported by numerous examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outdone by" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something has been surpassed or exceeded. As noted by Ludwig AI, its use is correct and supported by numerous examples from diverse sources. While generally neutral in register, the specific context might necessitate more formal or informal alternatives. Keep in mind using the active voice is a better way to use this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassed by

Indicates a more general surpassing, without necessarily implying competition.

exceeded by

Implies exceeding a certain limit or expectation.

eclipsed by

Suggests being overshadowed or made less significant.

overshadowed by

Similar to 'eclipsed', indicating a loss of prominence.

trumped by

Suggests being surpassed in a decisive or superior manner.

bettered by

Indicates improvement beyond a previous level.

excelled by

Highlights surpassing in skill or quality.

surmounted by

Emphasizes overcoming and exceeding a challenge.

outstripped by

Suggests a rapid and significant surpassing.

outclassed by

Implies a significant difference in quality or skill.

FAQs

How can I use "outdone by" in a sentence?

Use "outdone by" to indicate that something or someone has been surpassed or exceeded in performance or quality. For example, "The team's previous success was "outdone by" their recent victory."

What are some alternatives to "outdone by"?

You can use alternatives like "surpassed by", "exceeded by", or "eclipsed by" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "outdone by" or "surpassed by"?

Both "outdone by" and "surpassed by" are correct, but "outdone by" often implies a competitive element, while "surpassed by" is more general.

How does "outdone by" differ from "outperformed by"?

"Outdone by" generally suggests being exceeded in overall quality or achievement, while "outperformed by" specifically indicates a superior performance in a particular task or activity.