Outperform forty in audition (5)

I believe the answer is:

excel

'outperform' is the definition.

'forty in audition' is the wordplay.
'forty' becomes 'xl' ('XL' can be a synonym of 'forty').
'in audition' shows a homophone (sound like) (audition can mean hearing).
'xl' sounds like 'EXCEL'.

(Other definitions for excel that I've seen before include "Do superbly well" , "Be outstanding" , "Be exceptionally good (at something)" , "Predominate in" , "Distinguish oneself - XL" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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