What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
outburn
Example
The new stove outburns the old one, using less wood to produce more heat. [outburns: verb]
Example
The athlete's determination allowed him to outburn his competitors in the race. [outburn: infinitive]
outshine
Example
Her talent and hard work allowed her to outshine her peers in the music industry. [outshine: verb]
Example
The fireworks display was so spectacular that it outshone all the other attractions at the fair. [outshone: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Outshine is more commonly used than outburn in everyday language. Outshine is a versatile word that can be used in many different contexts, while outburn is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between outburn and outshine?
Both outburn and outshine are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
