outrun

verb

out·​run ˌau̇t-ˈrən How to pronounce outrun (audio)
outran ˌau̇t-ˈran How to pronounce outrun (audio) ; outrun; outrunning

transitive verb

1
: to run faster than
2
: exceed, surpass
his ambitions outrun his abilities

Examples of outrun in a Sentence

The rabbit had no chance of outrunning the dogs. His motorcycle could outrun any car on the road.
Recent Examples on the Web RuPaul has been trying to outrun that kind of thinking for a long time. Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 That’s speedy enough to outrun the fastest human, most horses, and just about all their natural predators. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 28 Feb. 2024 Northville Downs survived as the last remaining racetrack in Michigan for years, but even the Downs couldn't outrun fate. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 8 Feb. 2024 How fast exactly was kept a secret for many years — those government subsidies included some naval technology — but it was rumored to be capable of 42 knots, or 48 miles an hour, outrunning its competitors by 30 percent or so. Brittany Murray/medianews Group/long Beach Press-Telegram Via Getty Images, Curbed, 19 Jan. 2024 When one of them falls in love with the man who’s meant to be their next target (and is later found murdered) both sisters must question their trust in each other while outrunning the authorities. Jenna Wang, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023 His galloping accompaniment of Mr. Lewis was so unbridled at times that the tempo almost seemed to outrun the two men mid-session. Bill Friskics-Warren, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Related: Researchers try to tease out possible ties between long Covid and menopause Any other lessons learned? Lemieux: One of the big stories from the pandemic is just this virus essentially outrunning antibodies. Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 24 Jan. 2024 In an action thriller that spans multiple continents — traversing Moscow, London, Madrid, and Tangier — Bourne outruns and outwits those who once controlled him while finally finding answers to questions that have plagued him since the series began. Johnny Loftus, EW.com, 14 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outrun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outrun was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near outrun

Cite this Entry

“Outrun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outrun. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

outrun

verb
out·​run (ˈ)au̇t-ˈrən How to pronounce outrun (audio)
outran -ˈran How to pronounce outrun (audio) ; outrun; outrunning
1
: to run or go faster than
2
: exceed sense 1
our needs outran our funds

More from Merriam-Webster on outrun

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!