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 team was outmanned and struggled to keep up with their opponents. [outmanned: verb]
outnumbered
Example
The opposing team outnumbered us by two players. [outnumbered: verb]
Example
The committee was outnumbered by members who disagreed with their proposal. [outnumbered: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Outnumbered is more commonly used than outmanned in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between outmanned and outnumbered?
Both outmanned and outnumbered are relatively informal words, but outnumbered may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage.