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 Chimps can outplay humans in a strategy game, and New Caledonian Crows make their own tools that enable them to capture prey. Gary Stix, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 Broncos have thoroughly outplayed Saints, but 13-7 would feel like a hollow victory at half. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2024 Pederson, who led the Eagles to the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory over the Patriots with Nick Foles outplaying Tom Brady following the 2017 season, lost his job in Philadelphia just three years later. Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2024 Las Vegas was outplayed while losing to the Los Angeles Chargers, 22-10, in the season opener before rattling off a surprising win over the Baltimore Ravens. Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outplay 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outplay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outplay was in 1702

Dictionary Entries Near outplay

Cite this Entry

“Outplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outplay. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

outplay

verb
out·​play
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈplā
: to play better than
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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