outnumber
/aut'nʌmbə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To exceed in number; to be more numerous than. It describes a situation where one group or quantity is larger than another when counted.
Usage
- The verb "outnumber" is a transitive verb. It is typically used in the structure: Group A outnumbers Group B. This means the count of members in Group A is greater than the count in Group B.
- It is commonly used in comparative contexts involving people, objects, or abstract quantities.
Examples
- Verb:
- In many biology classes, female students outnumber male students.
- The defending forces were heavily outnumbered by the attacking army.
- The advantages of this plan far outnumber the disadvantages.
Advanced Usage
- "to be outnumbered": This passive construction is very common. It emphasizes the state of the group that has fewer members.
- We realized we were completely outnumbered and decided to retreat.
- "to outnumber someone/something by X to one": A structure used to specify the ratio of the difference.
- In the final vote, supporters outnumbered opponents by three to one.
Variants and Related Words
- Outnumbered (adj): Describing the state of being fewer in number.
- The outnumbered team still managed to win the game.
- Outnumbering (n/gerund): The act or fact of exceeding in number.
- The outnumbering of civilians by soldiers made the atmosphere tense.
Synonyms
- Exceed in number: To be greater in number.
- Surpass in number: To go beyond in quantity or count.
Antonyms
- Be outnumbered: To be fewer in number.
- Be fewer than: To have a smaller count.
Related Phrases
- "Sheer weight of numbers": An idiom describing a situation where victory or dominance is achieved purely because one side has many more people or things.
- They overcame the enemy not through strategy but by sheer weight of numbers.
- "To have the numbers": To possess a numerical advantage.
- In the parliament, the ruling party has the numbers to pass the bill.
Verb
- be larger in number