outnumber

Imagine a tiny band of adventurers facing a huge crowd of monsters: the monsters outnumber them. This word means one group has more members than another. It does not always mean the difference is huge, but it often matters. A small team might be very skilled, but if they are outnumbered by their opponents, the situation becomes harder. You could also say the opposing fans outnumbered yours at the stadium, meaning more of them showed up. It is often used in situations involving conflict, competition, or clear sides.

To outnumber someone or something means to be greater in number than they are. It is a comparison between two sides, groups, or sets, showing that one has more members, people, animals, or things than the other. The difference may be small or large, but the word often appears in situations where that difference matters.

You will often hear it used in political contexts: "The ruling party outnumbers the opposition in parliament." It is also common in military settings: "The enemy forces outnumbered our troops." But it does not have to be dramatic. A group of adults at a concert might realize, "We're completely outnumbered by teenagers."

Sometimes outnumber is used a little more loosely. For example, in a discussion, you might say that your supporters were outnumbered by your critics. Even then, the core idea stays the same: one side has more than the other. The key idea is simple: when one group outnumbers another, it has the larger number.