outgunned
Facing superior firepower
Outgunned means outmatched in firepower or resources.
Literally, it describes having fewer or inferior weapons than an opponent: The patrol was outgunned by insurgents with heavier artillery.
Figuratively, it extends to any situation where one side lacks the means to compete effectively: Our legal team was completely outgunned by their army of corporate lawyers.
Inferior to one's opponent
- outclassedBeaten by superior competition
- outplayedDefeated through better play
- outscoredGot more points than
- outpacedExceeded in speed
defeated · beaten · bested · dominated · trounced · routed · crushed · thrashed
Unlikely to succeed
- dark-horseUnlikely but possible winner
- underestimatedMisjudged as inferior
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
- pluckyCourageous despite disadvantage
resilient · tenacious · gritty · defiant · comeback · minnow · outsider · outmatched
Combat weapon effectiveness
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
- outmaneuveredDefeated through superior tactics
- outflankedBypassed at the flanks
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
reinforcements · munitions · armament · siege · trenches · battalion · infantry · tactics
Insufficiently financially supported
- understaffedInsufficient employees for workload
- underpoweredLacking adequate force
- outspentExceeded another's expenditures
- outnumberedExceeded in count
disadvantaged · overmatched · undermanned · shorthanded · overpowered · swamped · overwhelmed
outmatched
Inferior to one's opponent
- outclassedBeaten by superior competition
- outplayedDefeated through better play
- outscoredGot more points than
outpaced · defeated · beaten · bested · dominated · trounced · routed · crushed · thrashed · overwhelmed
longshot
Unlikely to succeed
- dark-horseUnlikely but possible winner
- underestimatedMisjudged as inferior
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
plucky · resilient · tenacious · gritty · defiant · comeback · minnow · outsider · outmatched · overmatched
firepower
Combat weapon effectiveness
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
- outmaneuveredDefeated through superior tactics
- outflankedBypassed at the flanks
ambush · reinforcements · munitions · armament · siege · trenches · battalion · infantry · tactics · fortification
underfunded
Insufficiently financially supported
- understaffedInsufficient employees for workload
- underpoweredLacking adequate force
- outspentExceeded another's expenditures
outnumbered · disadvantaged · overmatched · undermanned · shorthanded · overpowered · swamped · overwhelmed
- numerical disadvantageoutnumbered, shorthanded, undermanned, understaffed, skeleton crew
- fiercebrutal, violent, savage, ferocious, fierce
- unreadyunprepared, ill-prepared, ill-equipped, unready, not ready
- military statusactive duty, enlisted, retired, deployed, veteran
outgunneddominant
Having superior influence
superior · outgunning · overpowering · outarmed · armed to the teeth
outgunneddominant
Having superior influence
overpowering · outmatching · overwhelming · superior · in control