outplay

verb

out·​play ˌau̇t-ˈplā 

outplayed; outplaying; outplays

transitive verb

: to play better than

especially : to outdo in playing a game

The Knicks took a 21-point lead in the first half, gave up 18 consecutive points in the third quarter, but outplayed the Kings down the stretch to win …

—The Times Union (Albany, New York)

Examples of outplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brooklyn set the tone early, outplaying Sacramento from the opening tip. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

Pitching is the biggest difference maker, and the Mets can’t outplay a bad rotation. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026

In this tournament, Morocco has tried to develop from the 2022 team, which relied on stout defense, into one that can outplay more teams. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 9 July 2026

The Moroccans are coming off a Round of 16 encounter in which they were outplayed by Canada in the opening half, but managed to find the net three times in the final half for a 3-0 result. — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outplay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

outplay

verb

out·​play

(ˈ)au̇t-ˈplā

: to play better than