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Glite Dictionary
to outgun

to outgun

2 6.4
To have more weapons, power, or resources than someone
  • verb
  • /ˌaʊtˈɡʌn/
translation icon : superar en armamento
  • The rebels managed to outgun the enemy forces during the surprise attack.
  • outgun state security forces
  • outgun us, now

I was highly against it and just, you know, we're at a stalemate and they were, we're outgunned, gave up weapons.

Examples

  • They wanted the people to be able to outgun the state if they overstepped their bounds.

  • We outgun them.

    Yellowbeard (1983)

  • - They outgun me ten to one.

    Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

  • We've got to outgun them somewhere.

    Zulu (1964)

  • Small businesses can create compelling propositions and outgun the big guys.

    Blog text (26)

  • So it goes for Obama's minions, whether they think they can outgun the general population or disarm it.

    Blog text (10)

  • Heinrich's reinforcements said to outgun and outnumber us by a country mile, are already here and more are coming.

    Black Panthers of WWII (2025)

  • But where solutions are sought in the international arena in the prevention of goals, teams in the Champions League are refreshingly willing to outgun each other.

    Blog text (17)

  • Sooner or later, the Lakers are going to run up against a team that can outrun and outgun them (i.e., OKC or Miami).

    Blog text (28)

  • In the final match, our team outgun the competition by showcasing superior strategy and skill.

Synonyms

to outplay
vsto outgun
14 4.2

Do better than and beat an opponent in a game

highlights having greater weapons or resources rather than simply playing better
to outshoot
vsto outgun
2 7.0

To hit more targets than another person in a shooting competition

focuses on possession of superior weapons or resources rather than shooting skill
to outrange
vsto outgun
  • Specialized
8.1

To reach farther than another weapon, like a gun

is about having more weapons, power, or resources overall
to outrival
vsto outgun
7.9

Be better than someone or something in a competition

emphasizes having greater weapons, power, or resources rather than only beating them
to outvie
vsto outgun
  • Archaic
9.9

To try to be better than someone in a contest or task

centers on holding more weapons, power, or resources instead of mere success

Antonyms

underpowered
2 5.5

Not strong enough to do something well

How Powerful

to dominate
275 3.7
to overpower
33 3.8
to outgun
2 6.4
to outmatch
8 6.4

Surface Forms

outgun infinitive
outgunned past
outgunned past participle
outgunning present participle
outguns third person singular

Morphology

outgun = gun (transparent) = out + gun

The prefix 'out-' clearly indicates surpassing or exceeding in terms of weaponry or resources.

Etymology

Outgun comes from the parts out- and gun, and it originally meant 'to have more guns' than an enemy, so imagine one ship with bigger guns winning against another. So, to outgun someone today is to have more power or resources than them in a fight or competition.