outfoxed

verb

past tense of outfox
as in outwitted
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 outfoxed Liv Morgan begged for a tag, but she was outfoxed by a blind tag from Rhea Ripley. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026 No doubt remained that I’d been outfoxed. — Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outfoxed
  1. outwitted
  2. defeated
  3. outsmarted
  4. outmaneuvered
  5. deceived
  6. thwarted
  7. fooled
  8. overcame
Verb
  • Towering over the town is another, much bigger, Venetian fort, the Palamidhi (named after Palamedes, Nafplio’s legendarily clever local hero, who outwitted Odysseus and, well, didn’t live long enough to regret it).
    — Helen Brown, TheWeek, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Twenty-six years ago, students treated a visit by then-President Bill Clinton as a challenge, and outwitted the Secret Service by secretly rigging a banner to unfurl at an inopportune moment.
    — Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of outwitted
Verb
  • Norway defeated Brazil, while England emerged victorious against Mexico, taking them both through to the quarter-finals.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Without a pole, hook, or tree to climb, squirrels are left defeated and bereft.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
Definition of defeated
Verb
  • Outflanked by cruel and fickle gods at every turn, legendary Greek hero Odysseus outsmarted a one-eyed giant, suffered through the bewitching Sirens’ song and braved the Underworld’s dead denizens.
    — Alex Pulaski, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The world’s leading superpower was outsmarted by Iran, perhaps because Iran’s secretary of defense took his job seriously.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
Definition of outsmarted
Verb
  • 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
  • The series will also recreate pivotal moments from Carlos’ life, while Carr examines how Carlos outmaneuvered intelligence services before being captured.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 June 2026
Definition of outmaneuvered
Verb
  • 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
  • Only after this second handover did my father realize he had been deceived.
    — Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026
Definition of deceived
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 thwarted
Verb
  • His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price; the flats boast a luxe look thanks to their low profile and—of course—glove silhouette.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of fooled
Verb
  • The ship overcame the engine failure and continued flying toward a pinpoint water landing in the Indian Ocean, but SpaceX had to skip an attempt to reignite a Raptor engine in space.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • The Kings nearly overcame a 16-point deficit, but the Celtics held on for an 82-76 victory at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of overcame

Browse Nearby Words

outfox
outfoxed
outfoxes
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Cite this Entry

“Outfoxed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outfoxed. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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