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
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Getting out-pitched and out-hit and outplayed in the field left Fitzgerald little choice but to focus on Game 2 of this best-of-three set.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
But the organization has long avoided cutting productive players solely to take money off the books, and would likely only consider moving Powers if reserve Alex Palczewski or fourth-round rookie Kage Casey clearly outplays him at left guard come training camp.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
The Spurs won the 1999 NBA Finals in five games on the strength of Duncan and fellow big man David Robinson, who outplayed a Knicks frontcourt that was without Patrick Ewing due to an Achilles injury.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 June 2026
Sabalenka outplayed Osaka in their first meeting this year, at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 1 June 2026
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Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2026
But the organization has long avoided cutting productive players solely to take money off the books, and would likely only consider moving Powers if reserve Alex Palczewski or fourth-round rookie Kage Casey clearly outplays him at left guard come training camp.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
The Spurs won the 1999 NBA Finals in five games on the strength of Duncan and fellow big man David Robinson, who outplayed a Knicks frontcourt that was without Patrick Ewing due to an Achilles injury.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 June 2026
Sabalenka outplayed Osaka in their first meeting this year, at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
—Ava Wallace, New York Times, 1 June 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 12 Jun. 2026.
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