outvote
C1Formal, Official, Political
Definition
Meaning
To defeat in a vote by getting more votes.
To override or prevail over a person or group's opinion or proposal through a formal voting procedure. It can also imply a numerical majority imposing its will on a minority.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The action is inherently collective (one person cannot outvote alone; a group or faction outvotes another). It strongly connotes procedural legitimacy and decision-making within formal or semi-formal groups.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term in the same parliamentary, corporate, and organisational contexts.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly negative when implying the 'tyranny of the majority'. The core procedural connotation is identical.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties, used in contexts where formal voting is common (politics, committees, boards).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: group/party] outvote [Object: group/party] (on [issue])Be outvoted (by [group])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not common. Usually used literally.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Shareholders can outvote the board on certain major decisions.
Academic
In the committee, the humanities faculty was outvoted by the sciences on the new curriculum structure.
Everyday
We wanted pizza, but we were outvoted by the others who chose sushi.
Technical
The minority faction was procedurally outvoted on every amendment.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The committee members from the home nations will likely outvote the overseas representatives.
- They tried to outvote the chair's proposal, but failed to secure a majority.
American English
- The larger states can easily outvote the smaller ones in this assembly.
- We were outvoted on the proposal to change the meeting schedule.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (The participial adjective 'outvoted' is used: 'the outvoted minority').
American English
- N/A (The participial adjective 'outvoted' is used: 'the outvoted faction felt ignored').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In our family, the children often outvote the parents on what film to watch.
- Our team wanted to finish early, but we were outvoted by the others who wanted a longer break.
- Despite strong arguments from the finance director, she was outvoted by the rest of the board on the budget increase.
- The amendment was narrowly outvoted, with 52 delegates opposing it and 48 in favour, highlighting the deep division within the party.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'OUT of the running because of the VOTE' or 'The OUTcome was decided by a VOTE where we lost.'
Conceptual Metaphor
VOTING IS WAR / CONFLICT (defeat, overcome), MAJORITY IS FORCE (impose, override).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'проголосовать' (to vote). 'Outvote' is 'заголосовать против кого-то/переголосовать' or 'победить в голосовании'.
- It implies a result, not the action of casting a vote.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for a single person's action: *'I outvoted him.' (Incorrect; requires a collective subject).
- Confusing with 'outsmart' or 'outplay'. It is strictly vote-related.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'outvote'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not typically. 'Outvote' usually involves groups or factions. One person votes *against* another. 'Outvote' implies a collective subject achieving a majority.
No. It is used in any formal or informal group decision-making context: corporate boards, committees, clubs, families, or among friends.
'Override' is broader and can mean to use authority to cancel a decision. 'Outvote' is specific to winning a vote. A veto can be overridden by a vote, which is an act of outvoting the executive.
There's no direct single-word antonym. Phrases like 'be outvoted', 'lose the vote', or 'be defeated in a vote' serve as opposites.