Thesaurus results for OUTSMART

outsmart

verb

ˌau̇t-ˈsmärt

Definition of outsmart

as in to outwit

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

Relevance

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 outsmart Selecting a college major is not an exercise in outsmarting the admissions system. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 When a third girl disappears, Sean is determined to outsmart the police and solve the case for himself. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026 The most advanced artificial intelligence models are improving quickly enough to outsmart prevailing cybersecurity know-how within months, the Five Eyes spy agency alliance has warned. — CBS News, 23 June 2026 Mosquitoes just might be outsmarting us Mosquitoes may be beating us at our own game − by making repellent attractive. — Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for outsmart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart

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

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

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

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 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

After scoring in Mexico’s opening match against South Africa — his first goal at a World Cup — Jimenez was overcome with emotion on the pitch.

— Tom Burrows, New York Times, 12 July 2026
To be able to feel and touch the community of Cologne, and this person who suffered that ordeal and overcame it — and then managed to carry out the courage of her convictions with Ukrainian refugees.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

Hansi Flick stands in the iconic ground’s dugout, and a Mourinho believed to be past his best would have to find a way to outfox the German and unravel his high-scoring outfit with a defensive high line.

— Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 3 June 2026
But even foxes can outfox themselves by their own designs.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 20 Jan. 2026

Definition of outfox

Verb

You may be fooled into joining a brokerage with high fees, poor investment options or other red flags.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 17 July 2026
Jairzinho, Brazil vs Italy, 1970 Jairzinho steals in to give Brazil a two-goal lead with 20 minutes left, controlling the ball with his thigh and then failing to connect with his finish, which is enough to fool goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi.

— Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of fool

Browse Nearby Words

outslicks

outsmart

outsmarted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of outsmart

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quid pro quo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes