outnumber

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "outnumber" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to be more numerous than something else. For example, you can use the sentence: "The number of people attending the rally outnumbered the number of people who stayed home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But in the Lords, Labour (with 212 peers) and the Lib Dems (100 peers), who are strongly in favour of voting at 16, easily outnumber the Conservatives (224).

The Guardian

They've upgraded the students' common rooms (vital for a central London site where everything is ruinously expensive), and Professor Brendan O'Leary is anxious to reassure them that although graduate students outnumber undergraduates, "it is the undergraduates who are with us longer and who are our future".

The Guardian

This is because the sum of the parties who would vote down a Conservative government would, based on current figures, outnumber those that would vote in favour of one.

The Guardian

Jaffna's fort is still bare, the once-magnificent Dutch church lies in shards at crazy angles, and cows outnumber people on a new promenade around its seaward sides.

The Guardian - Travel

Women tend to outnumber men, but beware the single-sex group.

The Guardian - Travel

Related: Renters 'will outnumber homeowners in 104 parliamentary seats by 2021' Though he departs the country, Hilton is not leaving housing behind.

The Guardian

Refugees in the state capital, Yola, now outnumber the town's population of 400,000, but aid workers say only a fraction of the 1.5 million uprooted from their homes have been settled in five overflowing official camps.

The Guardian

But postcards of puffins and golden eagles far outnumber images of the reintroduced bird in shops.

The Guardian

Convictions of bloggers and other critics in the first half of 2013 for crimes such as "conducting propaganda against the state" already outnumber similar convictions for the whole of last year, according to Human Rights Watch, a lobby group.

The Economist

There is some fear that the Tamils in the south, who are thought to outnumber those in the north and the east, will be attacked.

The Economist

For tech firms, these now outnumber public ones, according to CB Insights, a financial-data service.This model was pioneered by DST Global, a Russian fund, which invested more than $500m in Facebook starting in 2009, allowing the social network to postpone its listing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outnumber", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared in terms of quantity or number. For example, specify "students outnumber teachers" instead of just saying "they outnumber."

Common error

Avoid using "outnumber" vaguely. Always provide a clear comparison group. Saying "sales outnumber" is unclear; instead, specify "online sales outnumber in-store sales."

Linguistic Context

Outnumber functions as a verb, indicating that one group or entity is numerically superior to another. As noted by Ludwig AI, the word is grammatically correct and usable in English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, such as "Women outnumbered men by two to one."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

General discussions

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outnumber" is a versatile verb used to express numerical superiority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. With a high frequency of occurrence, particularly in news and media, mastering its usage can enhance clarity and precision in writing. When using "outnumber", ensure clear context and comparison. While synonyms like "exceed in number" or "surpass in quantity" exist, understanding the nuances of "outnumber" allows for more effective communication across various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed in number

Focuses specifically on the numerical aspect of being greater than another.

surpass in quantity

Highlights the aspect of exceeding a certain amount or measure.

be more numerous than

A more descriptive and literal way of saying "outnumber".

prevail over

Implies a dominance or victory due to greater numbers.

dominate in number

Suggests a controlling presence due to having more individuals or units.

be in the majority

Indicates being more than half of the total.

outstrip in population

Specifically relates to population size and growth.

overshadow

Suggests being more prominent or noticeable due to a larger size or quantity.

dwarf

Implies making something else seem small or insignificant in comparison.

be thicker on the ground

An idiomatic expression meaning to be present in greater numbers.

FAQs

How is "outnumber" used in a sentence?

The verb "outnumber" is used to indicate that one group or thing is larger in number than another. For instance, "In this city, women "outnumber" men."

What words can I use instead of "outnumber"?

Alternatives to "outnumber" include phrases like "exceed in number", "surpass in quantity", or "be more numerous than", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "outnumber by a large margin"?

Yes, "outnumber by a large margin" is a correct and common way to emphasize the significant difference in numbers between two groups.

What's the difference between "outnumber" and "surpass"?

"Outnumber" specifically refers to being greater in number, while "surpass" can refer to exceeding in any quality, achievement, or attribute. Therefore, "outnumber" is more specific to numerical superiority.