as in outwitting
to get the better of through cleverness
an inexpensive security system that would likely be outsmarted by anyone with a serious interest in circumventing it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outsmarting
Invite critiques to maintain humility Nicholas likes to tell his team that loyalty in retail is just the absence of something better, and he is driven by a fear of rivals like Costco outsmarting his business.
—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Because some of them act like complete idiots, but Wendy is constantly outsmarting everyone.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Each episode will see the heroes explore new lands — from glittering mining mountains to secret vault cities — solving puzzles, cracking codes and outsmarting digital bandits along the way.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Much of the pleasure of John Lee Hancock’s marginal thriller comes in the familiar sight of Washington outsmarting those around him and projecting a weary grandeur that suggests all the horrors this man has seen on the job.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Because some of them act like complete idiots, but Wendy is constantly outsmarting everyone.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Each episode will see the heroes explore new lands — from glittering mining mountains to secret vault cities — solving puzzles, cracking codes and outsmarting digital bandits along the way.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Much of the pleasure of John Lee Hancock’s marginal thriller comes in the familiar sight of Washington outsmarting those around him and projecting a weary grandeur that suggests all the horrors this man has seen on the job.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmarting
Verb
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Time and Numbers—there’s no outwitting them.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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Ben Shapiro, Pete Buttigieg, Michael Knowles, Alex O’Connor—these are professional debaters capable of outwitting and outreasoning almost any audience member unfamiliar with traditional debate techniques, regardless of the topic or claim being considered.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Lancers won their conference tournament by defeating Utah Tech and Utah Valley, with both matches going to penalty kicks.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
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Ole Miss wound up defeating Oklahoma 34-26 in Norman.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As Venus enters Scorpio, your love life appears quiet, but appearances can be deceiving!—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Gordon warned me that this was deceiving.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The clever joke comes just as the White House is thwarting criticism from its own renovation controversy.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
3 Nov. 2025
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Both structures are placed directly over plants, but critter cages are used to deter wildlife and critters like deer, rabbits, and birds, and cloches are better at thwarting smaller pests and keeping plants warm.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Relay is a smart, small-scale espionage film focused on operatives outmaneuvering one another.—
Scott Phillips,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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DiMarco’s participation became a highlight of the event, with the student asking thoughtful questions about overcoming imposter syndrome and handling rejection.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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And that religion, like music, can carry the sound of struggle – but also the hope of one day overcoming the injustices and inequalities of everyday life.—
Ken Chitwood,
The Conversation,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Anyone who predicted this Titans team to win more than four or five games was fooling themselves, and even those predictions are coming off over-optimistic.—
Nick Suss,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Nov. 2025
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Either Michigan is fooling everyone in college football, or the Wolverines are fooling themselves.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outsmarting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmarting. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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