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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the world of real estate, a building often goes to the highest bidder in a world of survival of the fittest, but things change when a coveted house might hold some dark secrets that its sellers want to outrun. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024 The ad seized on a series of horrifying, real life stories of pregnant women left to bleed out in parking lots, drive to multiple states to outrun sepsis, and die in a hospital surrounded by medical professionals. Christen Hammock Jones / Made By History, TIME, 9 Dec. 2024 The advice includes tips such as: always stay at least 300 feet from an elephant, never confront them and don't expect to outrun them: elephants can hit 28 mph. Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 8 Dec. 2024 Consumer sentiment could benefit from allowing wages more time to outrun inflation, making everyday purchases feel like less of a blow to household budgets. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outrun 

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 23 Dec. 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!