outwit

verb

out·​wit ˌau̇t-ˈwit How to pronounce outwit (audio)
outwitted; outwitting
Synonyms of outwitnext

transitive verb

1
: to get the better of by superior cleverness : outsmart
2
archaic : to surpass in wisdom

Examples of outwit in a Sentence

The fox managed to outwit the hunter by hiding in a tree. They thought they had outwitted the new teacher.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Millions watched this new kind of reality TV competition show in the summer of 2000 to see players try to outwit, outplay and outlast each other while at the same time trying to survive. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 23 Feb. 2026 Ultimately, the team landed on 24 all-stars who will outwit, outplay and outlast each other for the $1 million prize and bragging rights that come with winning the show’s most competitive season to date. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026 Folktales are filled with people fighting to survive in forests, steppes, and deserts, and evading and outwitting the wild beasts that dwell within them. Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026 The characters here, though, are nowhere near so smart as those conniving pagans and can only dream of outwitting the sophisticated folk from the mainland, coming there with their talk of cake, and comfy chairs, and their lies. Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outwit

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outwit was circa 1630

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Cite this Entry

“Outwit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outwit. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

outwit

verb
out·​wit au̇t-ˈwit How to pronounce outwit (audio)
outwitted; outwitting
: to get the better of by cleverness

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