What does outranked mean?
Outranked is the past tense and past participle of outrank, meaning to have a higher position in status, authority, priority, or value than someone else. The word is used when a person, organization, proposal, achievement, or other entity is placed below another in a hierarchy. A candidate may be outranked by a rival, a proposal may be outranked by a competing plan, or a junior official may be outranked by a more senior figure. The expression often carries a competitive implication: being outranked means losing precedence rather than merely failing to be included. In the passive form, “was outranked by,” the focus falls on the entity that was placed lower. The related noun “outranking” is uncommon, while “outrank” is the usual form for general and non-past references.
verb (past tense and past participle)To rank below someone in status, authority, priority, or standing.
- To have a lower rank or status than someone else.
"In the final selection, her work was outranked by only two entries."
"The junior senator was outranked by several more experienced colleagues."
"Her proposal was outranked by a less innovative but more thoroughly funded plan."
Outranked means the hierarchy has spoken: you came second—or lower.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outranked come from?
The form outranked is formed from out- and rank, with the usual past-tense ending -ed. In this combination, out- indicates a degree or result beyond that of another person or thing, so outrank means “to have a higher rank than.” Rank entered English through Old French renc and ultimately derives from a Germanic word associated with a row, order, or arrangement.
Related word forms
How outranked is actually used
This is the past tense and past participle of the standard transitive verb outrank. It is especially common in comparative statements and passive constructions such as “was outranked by.”