outstay

verb

out·​stay ˌau̇t-ˈstā How to pronounce outstay (audio)
outstayed; outstaying; outstays
Synonyms of outstaynext

transitive verb

1
: overstay
outstayed their welcome
2
: to surpass in staying power
outstayed his competitors

Examples of outstay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But at two hours, Islands outstays its welcome, allowing much of the tension to leak out of it in a protracted concluding stretch. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2025 There are infinite ways for SNL to be unbearable: a sketch outstays its welcome, the rookie featured player keeps flubbing his lines, the writers forgo jokes altogether and instead force us to listen to a bizarre piano ballad in an attempt to say something earnest about politics. — Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outstay was circa 1616

Phrases Containing outstay

Rhymes for outstay

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Browse Nearby Words

outstay
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Cite this Entry

“Outstay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outstay. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

outstay

verb
out·​stay (ˈ)au̇t-ˈstā How to pronounce outstay (audio)
1
: to stay beyond or longer than
outstayed their welcome
2
: to be able to hold out longer than

More from Merriam-Webster on outstay

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