outplay

verb

out·​play ˌau̇t-ˈplā How to pronounce outplay (audio)
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
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.
Rai simply outplayed the strongest field in golf and won it. ABC News, 17 May 2026 Anaheim was outplayed in every facet. Eric Stephens, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Regardless, Hatton is good enough to outplay Rahm. Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026 You got outplayed in all facets of the game to lose the series. Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for outplay

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outplay was in 1702

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outplay. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

outplay

verb
out·​play
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈplā
: to play better than
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster