outplay

verb

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out·play | \ ˌau̇t-ˈplā

outplayed; outplaying; outplays

Definition of outplay

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 In terms of mechanical music, a ripping flat-six will always outplay an electric motor. — Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 6 Dec. 2021 Vandersloot exemplified how Chicago, the No. 6 seed entering the playoffs, turned up the heat to outplay its .500 regular-season record. — Rachel Bachman, WSJ, 17 Oct. 2021 Brown was joined as a spectator on the sidelines by Lejond Cavazos, a freshman who has the makeup of someone who could outplay his recruiting ranking. — Stephen Means, cleveland, 7 Aug. 2021 But what happens if Hicks were to outplay Collins during camp and the preseason? — Bob Mcmanaman, The Arizona Republic, 31 July 2021 Much of the attention has been given to other young stars because of their larger media markets, or other national interests, Guerrero may be on pace to outplay them all. — Jules Posner, Forbes, 25 June 2021 The Clippers were forced to ask George to outplay his past, ignore his critics and finally embrace being a $190-million cornerstone of this franchise. — Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2021 The Clippers find themselves in familiar territory — down 2-0 in their second straight playoff series and seeing one player outplay their two superstars. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 13 June 2021 The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves in familiar territory — down 2-0 in their second straight playoff series and seeing one player outplay their two superstars. — Joe Reedy, Star Tribune, 11 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'outplay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.