outnumbered by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outnumbered by" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express that something is occurring or existing in fewer numbers than something else. For example, "The opposing team was outnumbered by the home team's fans, two to one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Flight attendants are seriously outnumbered by passengers.

The New York Times

The actors were outnumbered by the freaks.

The New York Times

The peacekeepers were vastly outnumbered by the Lou Nuer marauders.

The New York Times

Numerically they have remained considerably outnumbered by the Bahāʾīs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were outnumbered by navigators, communications staff and reporters.

The New York Times

But his critics are vastly outnumbered by his admirers.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the two groups were outnumbered by conservatives.

The New York Times

But they were outnumbered by at least 75 supporters.

The New York Times

And such flaws are vastly outnumbered by the software's strengths.

The New York Times - Tech

In Connecticut, Mr. Kulas was outnumbered by antiwar classmates.

The New York Times

Applause: A ton, but this was outnumbered by the laughs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outnumbered by", ensure clarity by specifying both groups being compared. For example, instead of saying "They were outnumbered", specify "The defenders were outnumbered by the attackers."

Common error

Avoid using "outnumbered by" in a passive construction without specifying who is doing the outnumbering. A sentence like "The team was outnumbered" leaves the reader wondering who the opposing force was. Always provide the 'by' phrase to clarify the comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outnumbered by" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically modifies a verb, adjective, or noun. It indicates that a particular group or entity is fewer in number compared to another. According to Ludwig, it's a correct way to express this numerical disparity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Huffington Post

10%

TechCrunch

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outnumbered by" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase that effectively conveys a numerical disparity between two groups or entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, scientific literature, and encyclopedias. To ensure clarity, specify both groups being compared, and avoid using the phrase passively without a clear reference. Alternatives such as “exceeded by” or “less numerous than” may be used depending on the context. When using the phrase, be sure that you are using it to specify something that is fewer in number compared to something else.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less numerous than

A straightforward way of saying that the first group has a smaller count than the second.

exceeded by

Indicates that the other group has surpassed in number or quantity.

lower in quantity than

A more formal way of stating that the first group is less abundant than the second.

minority compared to

Emphasizes the smaller proportion of the first group relative to the second.

outstripped in numbers by

Expresses that the other group has surpassed in numerical strength.

overshadowed by

Suggests the other group is so large it diminishes the visibility or importance of the first group.

dwarfed by

Implies that the first group is significantly smaller, making it appear insignificant in comparison.

scarcer than

Highlights the limited availability or presence of the first group relative to the second.

underpopulated by

Indicates a smaller number of individuals within a specific area or category compared to another.

in short supply compared to

Conveys the limited quantity of the first group when contrasted with the abundance of the second.

FAQs

How to use "outnumbered by" in a sentence?

Use "outnumbered by" to show that one group is smaller in number than another. For example: "The protesters were "vastly outnumbered by" the supporters."

What can I say instead of "outnumbered by"?

Alternatives include "exceeded by", "less numerous than", or "dwarfed by", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "outnumber by" instead of "outnumbered by"?

No, "outnumber by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "outnumbered by", which uses the past participle of the verb 'outnumber' to indicate a state of being outnumbered.

What's the difference between "outnumbered by" and "surpassed by"?

"Outnumbered by" specifically refers to a numerical difference, while "surpassed by" can refer to exceeding in other qualities or achievements, not just numbers.