outsmart

verb

out·​smart ˌau̇t-ˈsmärt 

outsmarted; outsmarting; outsmarts

transitive verb

: to get the better of

especially : outwit

outsmarted their attackers and escaped unharmed

Synonyms of outsmart

• outwit
• thwart
• outmaneuver
• deceive
• defeat
• overcome
• outfox
• fool
• outthink

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

The family-friendly mythological comedy centers on eight ordinary mortals who must combine their wit and courage to outsmart formidable deities, earning the legendary status of the Eight Immortals. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2026

The Fan, the season-long unsub obsessed with one-upping and outsmarting his idol. — Joyce Eng, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Fedorov, meanwhile, represents technological innovation and a determination to outsmart the country’s more powerful invader. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 July 2026

McClair, a scurrying cerebral Glaswegian signed from Celtic and one of the few players to outsmart his boss Sir Alex Ferguson, had become the first in 20 years, since Best, to score 20 league goals for United. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outsmart

• apart
• depart
• flowchart
• forepart
• impart
• pushcart
• rampart
• redstart
• restart
• subpart
• sweetheart
• upstart

Kids Definition

outsmart

verb

out·​smart (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsmärt 

: outwit