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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Edmonds outplayed Boozer in the first half, outscoring him 12-2, helping to keep TCU in the game while sophomore forward David Punch was limited to two first-half points.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2026
The Hawks usually keep the night interesting for the United Center fans despite being outplayed.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
First-year Villanova coach Kevin Willard was not happy to watch his team get outplayed inside the paint in the first half.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Again the final team in the field, SMU was outplayed by Miami (Ohio) in an 89-79 loss in the First Four Wednesday night.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026
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Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2026
The Hawks usually keep the night interesting for the United Center fans despite being outplayed.
—Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
First-year Villanova coach Kevin Willard was not happy to watch his team get outplayed inside the paint in the first half.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
Again the final team in the field, SMU was outplayed by Miami (Ohio) in an 89-79 loss in the First Four Wednesday night.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2026.
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