as in overtook
to go or grow faster than (something)
Population growth has continued to outpace job growth for the last several decades. The demand for the product has outpaced the company's ability to produce it.
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Recent Examples of outpaced
The old model of government procurement is being outpaced by adversaries who move at the speed of commercial technology.
—
Pat Ryan, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
The company exodus, however, has been outpaced by the number of businesses moving into the state, which is home to almost 400 billion-dollar startups, according to CB Insights.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
For the 20th straight season, the SEC outpaced its fellow conferences with the most NFL Draft picks.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
By the end of the night, those five points outpaced the Rockets’ three total bench points.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Global clean power production outpaced electricity demand last year, leading to a decline in fossil fuel generation for the first time since the pandemic.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The company touted that its growth outpaced losses from Middle East disruptions in March.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Owen Carr, chief marketing officer for Spreetail, agreed that the speed of technology has outpaced social and legal norms.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
But on Sunday, an android outpaced the entire field to run a half-marathon faster than even the quickest human.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Pat Ryan, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
The company exodus, however, has been outpaced by the number of businesses moving into the state, which is home to almost 400 billion-dollar startups, according to CB Insights.
—Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
For the 20th straight season, the SEC outpaced its fellow conferences with the most NFL Draft picks.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
By the end of the night, those five points outpaced the Rockets’ three total bench points.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
Global clean power production outpaced electricity demand last year, leading to a decline in fossil fuel generation for the first time since the pandemic.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
The company touted that its growth outpaced losses from Middle East disruptions in March.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Owen Carr, chief marketing officer for Spreetail, agreed that the speed of technology has outpaced social and legal norms.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
But on Sunday, an android outpaced the entire field to run a half-marathon faster than even the quickest human.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outpaced
Verb
-
The flames overtook the apartment—and her with it.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers found that China overtook the United States in scientific output even earlier.—
Caroline Wagner,
The Conversation,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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No other state has ever surpassed the $6-a-gallon mark.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The story’s most significant character, save Miranda herself, is Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), who once toiled alongside Emily in the assistant trenches and finally surpassed her.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Deborah Courtney drove more than two hours from from Jacksonville and noted that all citizen speakers expressed opposition.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit his third home run of the season and drove in three runs to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.—
Richard J. Marcus,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outpaced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outpaced. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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