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

But we were outplayed today by a class Australia side who used all their experience in a huge final. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

The Atlas Lions outplayed Brazil for long passages in their first game but came away with a 1-1 draw. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 June 2026

Morocco, a semifinalist four years ago, drew with Brazil while outplaying them for long stretches, then dominated Scotland. — Jeremy Ebobisse, Time, 26 June 2026

The Moroccans are coming off a Round of 16 encounter in which they were outplayed by Canada in the opening half, but managed to find the net three times in the final half for a 3-0 result. — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 8 July 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