outplay
verb
out·play
ˌau̇t-ˈplā 
outplayed; outplaying; outplays
: 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)
The Times Union (Albany, New York) Examples of outplay in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wallstedt outplayed Gustavsson down the stretch to earn the Game 1 start.
—Joe Smith, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Dan Vladar, shaken up a bit in the third with an apparent right hand or wrist injury, stopped 28 shots and again outplayed embattled Stuart Skinner in net.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Flyers are up 2-0 as the series shifts back to Philly after outplaying the Penguins in Game 1 and then shutting them out in Game 2.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Negotiations on a raise have been ongoing for the better part of two years, since Lawrence signed a May 2023 contract extension and then immediately outplayed his deal as the defensive tackle market surged.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outplay
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Joe Smith, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Dan Vladar, shaken up a bit in the third with an apparent right hand or wrist injury, stopped 28 shots and again outplayed embattled Stuart Skinner in net.
—CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Flyers are up 2-0 as the series shifts back to Philly after outplaying the Penguins in Game 1 and then shutting them out in Game 2.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Negotiations on a raise have been ongoing for the better part of two years, since Lawrence signed a May 2023 contract extension and then immediately outplayed his deal as the defensive tackle market surged.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outplay
Cite this Entry
“Outplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outplay. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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