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Outnumber - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Outnumber means to exceed in quantity or amount, where one group or thing is greater in number than another. For example, The visitors outnumbered the locals at the event.

outnumber

/aʊtˈnʌmbər/ /aʊtˈnʌmbə/

Definition:

To exceed in number; be more numerous than another group or thing.

Synonyms:

surpass, exceed, outweigh, dominate

Part of Speech:

verb

Antonyms:

undernumber, be outnumbered

Common Collocations:

outnumber the opposition, greatly outnumber, consistently outnumber

Derivatives:

outnumbered, outnumbering

Usage Tips:

Use "outnumber" when comparing quantities, often implying a significant difference (e.g., "Their team outnumbers ours").

Common Phrases:

outnumbered and outgunned, heavily outnumbered

Etymology:

Derived from "out-" (beyond) + "number," first recorded in the early 17th century.

Examples:

  • 1. The visitors outnumber the locals during peak season.
  • 2. Men outnumber women in the engineering department.
  • 3. Their votes outnumbered ours by a large margin.
  • 4. The defenders were quickly outnumbered by the attacking army.

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