outplay

verb

out·​play ˌau̇t-ˈplā 

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

DeMarco, who joined the Liberty last November after 14 years as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, now departs from the team after it got outplayed by the Dream. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026

For the first 30 minutes, Manning outplayed Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, who entering the game was the best quarterback in the nation. — Mac Engel october 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026

The Kings were outplayed for much of the game and were outshot 43 to 26. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Texas may have outplayed them, but the very clear flaws in Manning's game cost them the result. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outplay

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

outplay

verb

out·​play

(ˈ)au̇t-ˈplā

: to play better than