Outperform: meaning, definitions and examples

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outperform

 

[ ˌaʊt.pəˈfɔːrm ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in business

To perform better than someone or something else, especially in a competitive situation. To achieve a higher level of success or effectiveness compared to others.

Synonyms

excel, outdo, outshine, surpass.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
outperform

This word is typically used in a business or technical context when comparing quantitative results, such as in finance or performance metrics.

  • The new software outperforms the older version in every test.
  • Our team consistently outperforms the competition in sales.
excel

This word is used when someone truly excels or shows exceptional skill in a specific field or task. It's often used in a more positive or impressive sense.

  • She excels in mathematics, always getting top grades.
  • They excel at customer service, making every client feel valued.
surpass

Used to indicate exceeding expectations or standards. It has a more formal tone and can be used in both personal and professional contexts.

  • The student's project surpassed all the teacher's expectations.
  • This year's sales figures have surpassed last year's by 20%.
outdo

Often used in various contexts to suggest someone is trying to do better than another, sometimes implying a competitive spirit or one-upmanship.

  • He always tries to outdo his brother in sports.
  • In the latest race, she managed to outdo all her competitors.
outshine

This is often used when someone stands out in a positive way, overshadowing others. It can be used in social or professional contexts.

  • Her performance outshined everyone else's at the talent show.
  • In the meeting, his innovative ideas outshined the rest.

Examples of usage

  • The company managed to outperform its competitors in the market.
  • The athlete trained hard to outperform his previous results.
Context #2 | Verb

in academics

To do better than expected or required in academic performance. To achieve higher grades or results compared to others.

Synonyms

exceed, excel, outdo, surpass.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
outperform

This term is often used in performance comparisons, especially in business, finance, and sports contexts where one entity does significantly better than another.

  • The new software outperforms the previous version in speed and reliability.
  • Our team outperformed all others in the competition.
excel

Use this term when referring to someone who performs exceptionally well in a specific area or skill, often used in educational or professional settings.

  • She excels in mathematics and has won several competitions.
  • He consistently excels in his job, earning praise from his supervisors.
outdo

This word is ideal when describing a situation in which one person or entity does better than another in a more informal, sometimes competitive context.

  • She always tries to outdo her classmates in every test.
  • The sequel movie outdid the original at the box office.
surpass

This term is used in more formal contexts to describe going beyond a certain standard or level, often with a sense of achievement or excellence.

  • His latest novel surpasses all his previous works.
  • The achievements of the new team have surpassed all expectations.
exceed

This word is appropriate when talking about going beyond a certain limit or expectation, often used in formal or official settings.

  • The car exceeded the speed limit by 20 miles per hour.
  • Her sales figures exceeded the company's expectations for the quarter.

Examples of usage

  • She always strives to outperform in her studies.
  • The student consistently outperforms his classmates in exams.

Translations

Translations of the word "outperform" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superar

🇮🇳 बेहतर प्रदर्शन करना

🇩🇪 übertreffen

🇮🇩 mengungguli

🇺🇦 перевершувати

🇵🇱 przewyższać

🇯🇵 上回る (uwamawaru)

🇫🇷 surpasser

🇪🇸 superar

🇹🇷 aşmak

🇰🇷 능가하다 (neunggahada)

🇸🇦 تفوّق على

🇨🇿 překonat

🇸🇰 prekonať

🇨🇳 表现优于 (biǎoxiàn yōuyú)

🇸🇮 preseči

🇮🇸 stá fram úr

🇰🇿 асып түсу

🇬🇪 გადაჭარბება (gadacharbeba)

🇦🇿 üstələmək

🇲🇽 superar

Etymology

The word 'outperform' originated in the mid-20th century, combining the prefix 'out-' meaning 'beyond' or 'more than' and the verb 'perform'. It gained popularity in business and academic contexts, emphasizing the idea of exceeding expectations or achieving superior results.

See also: outperforming, perform, performability, performable, performance, performances, performer, performers, performing, underperformance, underperformer.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,783, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.