outdistance

American

[out-dis-tuhns] / ˌaʊtˈdɪs təns /

verb (used with object)

outdistanced, outdistancing

to leave behind, as in running; outstrip.

The winning horse outdistanced the second-place winner by five lengths.

outdistance British

/ ˌaʊtˈdɪstəns /

verb

(tr) to leave far behind

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of outdistance

First recorded in 1855–60; out- + distance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Jayhawks were the clear No. 1 pick in the AP Top 25 preseason men’s basketball poll released Monday, earning 46 of 63 first-place votes to easily outdistance No. 2 Duke and No. 3 Purdue.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2023

They earned 55 of 63 first-place votes to easily outdistance No. 2 UCLA, which earned the other eight.

From Fox News • Oct. 18, 2021

If it is right, it will increase its workers’ loyalty and outdistance earthbound competitors.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2021

Cox got about a quarter of the votes counted so far in Tuesday’s election to easily outdistance former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for second to Newsom, who won by a comfortable margin.

From Washington Times • Jun. 6, 2018

The stot they had given him was a wretched thing, knock-kneed and half-starved; he could never hope to outdistance the fine horses Lord Ramsay and his hunters would be riding.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023