outstandingly

IPA/aʊtˈstændɪŋli/
KK[ˌaʊtstˈændɪŋli]IPA/aʊtˈstændɪŋli/

outstandingly — adverb

1. with a level of skill, quality, or success that is far above what people usually

1.adverbC1
Definition

with a level of skill, quality, or success that is far above what people usually expect.

Example

Theo handled the customer complaint outstandingly and saved the cafe's reputation.

verb + outstandingly to praise performance

Hui performed outstandingly in the violin final despite a fever.

perform + outstandingly in a high-pressure event

Common collocations
  • perform outstandingly
  • do outstandingly well
  • respond outstandingly
  • handle something outstandingly
Synonyms
  • excellently

    slightly broader and more neutral in tone

  • superbly

    stronger and more stylish, often suggesting elegance

  • brilliantly

    stresses intelligence, flair, or creative skill

Antonyms
  • poorly

    shows weak quality or low skill

  • badly

    more general everyday opposite

Grammar Patterns

verb + outstandingly

do/work/perform + outstandingly

outstandingly well

Usage Note

Usually used to praise how someone performs, works, or responds, especially in formal feedback. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes the way an action is done, not just the strength of a good quality.

Common Mistakes

She sang outstandingly good in the final.
She sang outstandingly well in the final.
after a verb, the word usually modifies the whole action or another adverb, not the adjective 'good'.
The printer is outstandingly.
The printer is outstandingly good.' / 'The printer works outstandingly well.
the word cannot stand alone after 'be'.

2. to a very high degree, especially before words that praise a person, thing, or r

2.adverbC1
Definition

to a very high degree, especially before words that praise a person, thing, or result.

Example

The manual is outstandingly clear, even for first-time users.

outstandingly + adjective for strong praise

Indra stayed outstandingly calm during the heated meeting.

outstandingly before an adjective inside a noun phrase

Common collocations
  • outstandingly clear
  • outstandingly effective
  • outstandingly well designed
  • outstandingly calm
Synonyms
Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

outstandingly + adjective

outstandingly + past participle

outstandingly + adverb

Usage Note

Most often placed before a positive adjective or participle in formal praise, such as clear, useful, or effective. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense measures how strong a quality is, rather than how an action was carried out.

Common Mistakes

The instructions were outstandingly.
The instructions were outstandingly clear.
this sense must modify an adjective, participle, or another adverb.
The team played outstandingly calm under pressure.
The team stayed outstandingly calm under pressure.' / 'The team played outstandingly well under pressure.
use this sense with qualities, not directly with an action verb.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

For adverb/1, outstandingly is a formal praise word for performance or results that clearly rise above the usual level. Excellently is broader and more neutral, so it works in both everyday approval and professional evaluation. Superbly is stronger and more stylish, often suggesting elegance, control, or artistic polish. Brilliantly highlights intelligence, imagination, or technical flair rather than steady overall quality. Exceptionally can overlap with outstandingly, but it often moves toward sense 2 when it simply marks a high degree. A coach may say a team performed outstandingly, a teacher may call a paper excellently organised, and a critic may praise a dancer for moving superbly.

excellently ↗superbly ↗brilliantly ↗exceptionally ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Outstandingly is formed from outstanding and the adverb ending -ly. Outstanding originally described something that stood out or remained unsettled. From the idea of standing above others, English developed the modern praise sense for people, work, and qualities that are noticeably better than usual.