outnumber

verb

out·​num·​ber ˌau̇t-ˈnəm-bər How to pronounce outnumber (audio)
outnumbered; outnumbering; outnumbers

transitive verb

: to exceed in number

Examples of outnumber in a Sentence

With 20 girls and 10 boys in the class, girls outnumber boys by 2 to 1.
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 my experience, negative comments outnumber positive ones by an even wider margin than the nearly two-to-one ratio University of Minnesota researchers found. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Cornered and outnumbered by a mutual enemy, Paladin switches loyalties and throws in with Vision. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026 When Anaheim outnumbered him with two checkers, Lekkerimäki dealt with the pressure by rimming a backhand pass along the wall behind the net for Filip Chytil to fight for on the opposite-side half wall. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Patrick said the Democratic voters outnumbered Republicans at the polls in the first days of early voting, but many Republicans traditionally wait until Election Day to cast a ballot. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outnumber

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outnumber was in 1598

Rhymes for outnumber

See All Rhymes for outnumber

Browse Nearby Words

outness
outnumber
out of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outnumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outnumber. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

outnumber

verb
out·​num·​ber (ˈ)au̇t-ˈnəm-bər How to pronounce outnumber (audio)
: to be more than in number
girls outnumber boys in the class
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