outfox

verb

ˌau̇t-ˈfäks How to pronounce outfox (audio)
Definition of outfoxnext
as in to outwit
to get the better of through cleverness the prisoners outfoxed the guards by tunneling beneath the prison walls

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of outfox But even foxes can outfox themselves by their own designs. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 20 Jan. 2026 Los Angeles had already outfoxed the 49ers in 2021 by trading for Matthew Stafford, who was also on Shanahan’s radar. — Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 2 Oct. 2025 No doubt remained that I’d been outfoxed. — Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025 The most challenging part of a campaign for Crimea may not be outfoxing Russia. — Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for outfox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outfox
  1. outwit
  2. outsmart
  3. outmaneuver
  4. thwart
  5. deceive
  6. defeat
  7. overcome
  8. fox
Verb
  • For Deschamps and Stephan, there was no shortage of blame after Spain’s Luis de la Fuente outwitted the French coaching staff for the third time, following wins at the 2024 European Championship and last year’s Nations League semi-final.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • Watch crafty servant Scapin spin outrageous webs of disguise and deception to help a band of young lovers outwit their impossibly miserly fathers.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of outwit
Verb
  • The family-friendly mythological comedy follows eight ordinary mortals who must use their collective wit and courage to outsmart formidable deities, ultimately earning the legendary title of the Eight Immortals.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 July 2026
  • McClair, a scurrying cerebral Glaswegian signed from Celtic and one of the few players to outsmart his boss Sir Alex Ferguson, had become the first in 20 years, since Best, to score 20 league goals for United.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of outsmart
Verb
  • Apple's September launch of the iPhone 18 Pro is a calculated strategic move to outmaneuver Android competitors, including Samsung and Google.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • In the end, Seattle outmaneuvered and outbodied the Sparks, snatching steals and flipping the ball around the perimeter until the Storm fired off a shot.
    — Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of outmaneuver
Verb
  • As Deadline reported last week, Tatro was in talks to join the DC Universe as the hyper-intelligent telepathic ape who has sought to rule both the simian and human worlds, though the Flash has frequently thwarted his plans.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 July 2026
  • An episode of severe weather was expected across northern New England earlier this week, but was thwarted by the presence of thick wildfire smoke from Canada.
    — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 15 July 2026
Definition of thwart
Verb
  • In an era when AI generates convincing falsehoods at scale and a third of teenagers report being deceived by fake content online, the ability to weigh evidence critically is not an academic exercise but a plain necessity.
    — Rajiv Vinnakota, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring with a spectacular cross-shot that deceived Jordan Pickford and, although Jude Bellingham struck back for England in first-half stoppage time, Norway looked the more likely winners as the second period wore on.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • Calypso had been banished to live on the island of Ogygia after the Olympians defeated the Titans long ago.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • Tiffany Stratton qualified by defeating Jacy Jayne, while Jade Cargill advanced via disqualification against Nia Jax after Charlotte Flair's interference.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Democrats have been struggling to overcome disarray in other messy primaries across this year’s midterm calendar.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • Ding said optical interconnects are becoming essential for overcoming the scalability limits of conventional server architectures.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • That will require out-foxing Patriots defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr, whose pressure game plans suffocated the Chargers and Texans the past two weeks.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Having a robotic bear, rabbit, chicken or fox the size of a refrigerator coming after you in the dark was truly terrifying.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of fox

Browse Nearby Words

outfought
outfox
outfoxed
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Cite this Entry

“Outfox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outfox. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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