Outpace: meaning, definitions and examples

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outpace

 

[aʊtˈpeɪs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

business competition

To outpace means to go faster or further than someone or something in a race or competition.

Synonyms

exceed, outdistance, outstrip, surpass.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
outpace

When something or someone progresses faster than another, often used in competitive settings or to describe growing trends.

  • Our company's sales have outpaced those of our closest competitor this quarter.
  • The demand for renewable energy is outpacing the traditional energy sector.
surpass

Generally used to indicate that something or someone has gone beyond another in terms of quality or achievement.

  • His latest novel surpasses all his previous works.
  • The team's performance this season has surpassed everyone's expectations.
outdistance

When someone or something leaves others far behind, typically in a race or a competition.

  • The champion cyclist outdistanced all her rivals easily.
  • In the marathon, he managed to outdistance the other runners by a significant margin.
exceed

Used when something goes beyond a specific limit or expectation, often in terms of quantity or degree.

  • Her performance exceeded all our expectations.
  • The temperature today is expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
outstrip

Used to describe someone or something that is much better or more advanced than others, often in terms of production or capability.

  • Their new technology has outstripped anything else on the market.
  • She quickly outstripped her classmates in academic achievements.

Examples of usage

  • The company has managed to outpace its competitors in terms of sales growth.
  • Her running speed was so fast that no one could outpace her in the race.
Context #2 | Verb

personal development

To outpace can also mean to develop or improve faster than expected.

Synonyms

excel, outdo, outperform, outrun.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
outpace

Used when describing something moving faster than something else, often in a competitive sense or in terms of growth and progress.

  • The company managed to outpace its competitors in the market.
  • Our technology is outpacing current regulations.
outperform

Used to describe performing better than someone or something else, especially in business, investment, or physical activities.

  • Our team managed to outperform the others in the tournament.
  • Tech stocks have outperformed other sectors this quarter.
excel

Used to indicate becoming very good at something, often through skill, effort, or talent.

  • She excels in mathematics.
  • He has excelled in his role as a leader.
outdo

Used when surpassing someone in terms of achievement or performance, especially in a direct comparison.

  • She always tries to outdo her colleague at work.
  • He outdid himself in the last project.
outrun

Used generally to describe running faster than someone or something, or metaphorically to mean moving ahead or beyond in a more abstract sense.

  • No one can outrun a cheetah.
  • We need a new strategy to outrun the competition.

Examples of usage

  • His skills in coding quickly outpaced those of his classmates.
  • Her career progression has outpaced her peers due to her hard work and dedication.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'outpace' originated from the combination of 'out,' meaning beyond, and 'pace,' which refers to speed or rate of movement.
  • It has been in use since the early 19th century in English, reflecting the physical act of surpassing in speed.
  • In its use, it often implies not just speed but also an advantage in development or progress.

Sports

  • In competitive sports, athletes are often trained specifically to outpace their opponents, both in sprints and strategic games.
  • Outpacing is critical in events like marathons where pacing strategies can significantly impact performance.
  • Famous athletes like Usain Bolt have become synonymous with outpacing competitors in sprinting, showcasing raw speed.

Technology

  • Technological advancements frequently outpace regulatory developments, leading to discussions about the need for updated laws.
  • In the tech industry, companies strive to outpace rivals by innovating new products faster and more efficiently.
  • As of the 21st century, digital transformation has outpaced most traditional business methods, changing how companies operate.

Education

  • In a learning environment, some students may outpace their peers in understanding complex concepts, requiring tailored educational approaches.
  • Online learning platforms often outpace traditional classroom settings in terms of flexibility and accessibility for students.
  • The curriculum in many schools is designed to outpace the skills needed in the modern workforce, focusing on critical thinking and problem-solving.

History

  • During the Industrial Revolution, innovations in machinery allowed industry to outpace agricultural output significantly.
  • In many historical contexts, certain civilizations have outpaced others in technology, leading to shifts in power dynamics.
  • Economic growth rates in emerging markets can outpace those in established economies, altering global trade relationships.

Translations

Translations of the word "outpace" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superar

🇮🇳 आगे निकलना

🇩🇪 überholen

🇮🇩 mengungguli

🇺🇦 обігнати

🇵🇱 wyprzedzać

🇯🇵 追い越す (おいこす)

🇫🇷 dépasser

🇪🇸 superar

🇹🇷 geçmek

🇰🇷 앞지르다

🇸🇦 تجاوز

🇨🇿 předčit

🇸🇰 predbehnúť

🇨🇳 超越 (chāoyuè)

🇸🇮 preseči

🇮🇸 fara fram úr

🇰🇿 озып кету

🇬🇪 გადაჭარბება

🇦🇿 ötüb keçmək

🇲🇽 superar

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,270 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.