Outworked

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To exert oneself more than another in labor or effort, achieving a higher output in tasks, thereby showcasing greater commitment to work
2. To put in more effort and deliver better results than others, signifying a higher level of productivity through hard work
3. Applied greater effort or labor than others to accomplish more work

Etymology: "Outworked" is the past tense and past participle of "outwork," which combines the prefix "out-" with "work." The prefix comes from Old English "ūt," meaning "out" or "outside," and the verb follows the familiar pattern of English words where "out-" signals going beyond or surpassing someone else. To outwork someone is to surpass them in labor, so the verb is essentially "work" with a comparative edge: it measures effort against a rival or colleague rather than against a fixed standard. Because "outwork" is formed simply from "out-" and "work," its history is plain. Its meaning is transparent from its parts, and it does not come through a long chain of borrowing. The "work" element traces back to Old English "weorc," which also contributes to words such as "workman" and "workshop."

Synonyms: exceeded, outperformed, outdone

Antonyms: underperformed, failed