Outvied

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To have been overshadowed or excelled by another in a competitive context
2. To have found oneself at a disadvantage in terms of performance or achievement against someone else
3. To have been exceeded or defeated by someone else in a contest or rivalry

Etymology: "Outvied" is the past form of "outvie," a verb built from "out-" and "vie." "Vie" comes from the Middle English "vien," which is itself a shortened form of "envie," borrowed from Old French "envier," meaning to challenge or to invite someone to a wager. The older sense of the root was therefore closer to making a challenge than to competing as such. The prefix "out-" carries the sense of surpassing: to outrun is to run faster than another, and to outvie is to win a contest of rivalry by going beyond a rival's effort. Put together, "outvie" describes a rival who has been bettered in a contest of this kind, which is why the form in "-ed" describes someone who has already lost the rivalry.

Synonyms: outperformed, surpassed, excelled, outdone, overcame

Antonyms: failed, lost, fell behind