What does outstripped mean?
Outstripped is the past tense and past participle of outstrip, a formal verb meaning to exceed or surpass someone or something. It is especially common when comparing totals such as sales, revenue, demand, profits, attendance, or other measures of achievement. Saying that one figure “outstripped” another generally indicates that it was higher, often by a substantial margin. The word can also be used more generally to describe outperforming a person, organisation, record, or expectation. Its tone is authoritative and suited to reports, journalism, business analysis, and formal discussion. In everyday conversation, alternatives such as “beat,” “exceeded,” or “surpassed” may sound more direct, but outstripped conveys the idea of going beyond a comparative total with a slightly more formal and emphatic tone.
verbTo exceed or surpass someone or something, especially in quantity, achievement, or value.
- To exceed or surpass someone or something in amount, extent, value, or achievement.
"The company’s annual revenue outstripped that of its nearest competitor."
"Demand for electric vehicles outstripped supply during the first quarter of the year."
"Her second novel outstripped the sales of her debut and reached a much wider audience."
To outstrip is to go beyond someone else’s total—not merely to overtake them momentarily.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outstripped come from?
Outstrip is formed from the prefix out- and the verb strip. The compound developed in the sense of surpassing a limit or going beyond another person’s total. The prefix out- meaning “beyond” or “more than” is Old English, while strip is an Old English word related to stripping, removing a covering, and by extension to removing something from a surface.
Related word forms
How outstripped is actually used
The word is formal and often used in business, economic, and comparative contexts. It emphasizes a total or result that is greater, not simply a brief lead.
Easily confused with outstripped
Outstrip means to surpass, whereas outspread means to expand or spread beyond a particular area.