SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

outdebate

play

verb out·de·bate \ˌau̇t-di-ˈbāt, -dē-\

Definition of outdebate

outdebated

;

outdebating

transitive verb
: to outdo in debating : to win a debate against … played a tobacco lobbyist who jokes about being a merchant of death and gleefully outdebates all comers. — Michael Shnayerson

1825

First Known Use of outdebate

1825

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up outdebate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

nudnik

play

a person who is a bore or nuisance

Words at Play

alt-592333459542f

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

boulton-and-park

Notes on 'Campy'

Plus: how to use n'importe in a sentence

What is 'Sin'?

It's striking how little this word has changed

Ah, 'Romance': A Word Borne to English on the Breastplates of Chivalry

The true and lovesome history of 'romance'

Ask the Editors

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

The Serial Comma

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

peter-bruegel-tower-of-babel-painting

Where in the World? A Quiz

Do you know what languages these words come from?

Take the quiz

wide-eyed-dog-smelling-rose

What's that Smell?! Quiz

Words for odors and such...

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game