What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
outmanned
Example
The small army was outmanned and outgunned by the enemy forces. [outmanned: adjective]
Example
The soccer team was outmanned in the second half of the game, with several players injured. [outmanned: verb]
outgunned
Example
The police officers were outgunned by the heavily armed criminals. [outgunned: adjective]
Example
The company was outgunned by its competitors, who had more resources and a larger market share. [outgunned: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Outgunned is more commonly used than outmanned in everyday language. Outgunned is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while outmanned is less common and refers to a specific numerical disadvantage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between outmanned and outgunned?
Both outmanned and outgunned are informal words that are appropriate for casual conversation or writing. However, outgunned may be slightly more formal due to its usage in business and law enforcement contexts.
