outsmart

verb

out·​smart ˌau̇t-ˈsmärt How to pronounce outsmart (audio)
outsmarted; outsmarting; outsmarts

transitive verb

: to get the better of
especially : outwit

Examples of outsmart in a Sentence

The government must gather large amounts of information in order to outsmart its enemies. an inexpensive security system that would likely be outsmarted by anyone with a serious interest in circumventing it
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What her realization results in is a nearly 25-minute fight scene in the finale between Joe and Louise that ends with Louise outsmarting Joe at his own game and locking him up forever. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 24 Apr. 2025 The trio must tag team to outsmart a cunning international thief and save a priceless diamond gauntlet — just in time for Christmas. Brian Welk, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2025 Punk and Rollins brawled, and the brawl ended when Rollins outsmarted Punk and hit him with a Stomp. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 This is an American story made by an international cohort — Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain is an executive producer under his Fabula production banner — and the film is so much more than just an exploration of this anomalous oddball story and character who managed to outsmart the media. Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outsmart

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outsmart was in 1924

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outsmart. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

outsmart

verb
out·​smart (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsmärt How to pronounce outsmart (audio)
: outwit
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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