outstrip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstrip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to surpassing or exceeding something, such as expectations, limits, or competitors. Example: "The company's sales have begun to outstrip those of its closest rival, indicating a strong market position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also follows estimates that the Galilee Basin mines feeding the port would produce enough coal to far outstrip Australia's annual carbon emissions, indicating a climate change contribution of global significance.

The Guardian

Boasting one TD so far, the party hopes to outstrip the Labour Party in the next Eire general election, with the intention of holding the balance of power in a future government coalition and paving the way to a north-south, two-pronged advance to a united Ireland on their terms.

The Guardian

"The Treasury secretary's comments follow findings of key government reviews, including the Commission of Audit, Financial Systems Review, and Tax White Paper discussion paper, that show these tax concessions flow to high income earners and will shortly outstrip the cost of the age pension to the budget".

The Guardian

But the watch component is now being supplied almost entirely by Japan's Nidec Corp, meaning that consumer demand for the watch may outstrip supply for some time to come.

The Guardian - Tech

Fat cats – and dogs and rabbits – are expected to outstrip healthy ones within five years, as pet obesity rates continue to rise across the country, the PDSA has warned.

The Guardian

He says over half of all Indian-born people in America arrived there after 2000.On the usual measures of success they outstrip all other minorities, including Jewish-Americans.

The Economist

India's textile exports have grown, but those from Vietnam and Bangladesh, combined, easily outstrip them.Why don't more people want to make things in India?

The Economist

But what if the problem was spread across half of the American economy, such that very large banks got into trouble?As America discovered in 2008, things can get tricky when banking troubles outstrip the capacity of the FDIC.

The Economist

Officials now say they expect the cost to turn out at £70m, well above the £58.5m originally estimated and liable to outstrip the income the games will generate by £5m-10m.

The Economist

As the ratio of retired people to workers grows (see chart 2), the cost of benefits will outstrip the payroll taxes earmarked to finance them.

The Economist

So even if emissions per unit of output are reduced, unless this is by large enough amount, growth in overall economic output could easily outstrip this reduction, meaning a higher absolute level of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outstrip" when you want to emphasize that something has not just met, but exceeded expectations or previous levels. For instance, in business contexts, it can highlight significant growth or success.

Common error

Avoid using "outstrip" when describing static situations or conditions that don't involve a process of exceeding or surpassing. It's more appropriate for dynamic scenarios involving growth, competition, or improvement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outstrip" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being exceeded. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts where one entity or measure surpasses another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "outstrip" means to exceed or surpass something, typically in growth, progress, or performance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and business settings. It serves to emphasize a notable difference or advancement. While synonyms such as "exceed" and "surpass" offer similar meanings, "outstrip" often suggests a more sustained and significant level of exceeding. When using "outstrip", ensure the context involves a process of surpassing rather than describing static conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceed

A direct synonym that emphasizes surpassing a limit or standard.

surpass

Implies exceeding expectations or a previous achievement.

outdo

Focuses on performing better than someone else in a specific task or activity.

outperform

Specifically used in contexts where performance is being measured, such as in business or sports.

overtake

Suggests moving ahead of something or someone, often in a competitive setting.

eclipse

Indicates overshadowing or diminishing the importance of something else.

transcend

Implies rising above or going beyond limitations or boundaries.

leave behind

Emphasizes the act of progressing faster or further than others.

go beyond

A more general phrase indicating exceeding a limit or expectation.

rise above

Suggests overcoming challenges to achieve a superior position.

FAQs

What does "outstrip" mean?

"Outstrip" means to exceed or surpass something else, often in terms of growth, progress, or performance. It implies moving ahead and becoming greater or more significant.

How to use "outstrip" in a sentence?

You can use "outstrip" to describe how one thing exceeds another. For example: "The company's profits began to outstrip its expenses."

What can I say instead of "outstrip"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed", "surpass", or "outperform" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "outstrip" or "overshoot"?

Both "outstrip" and "overshoot" can mean exceeding a target, but "outstrip" generally implies a more sustained or significant level of exceeding, whereas "overshoot" often suggests going beyond a target unintentionally.