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

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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 outsmart 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 For more than 100 years, people have tried to sequester it and tame it and outsmart it, and for more than 100 years the Mississippi has found its own way. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 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 Selecting a college major is not an exercise in outsmarting the admissions system. — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for outsmart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart

Verb

To say that Cucurella was pleased, when the Spanish side outwitted the French in the semifinal, would be an understatement.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
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

Definition of outwit

Verb

Another tactic is treating ship hulls with special paint that thwarts unwanted hitchhikers from latching on.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Valthos, which aims to identify and thwart biological threats exacerbated by AI—think viral infections or contaminated drinking supplies—is trying to prevent them.

— Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of thwart

Verb

For more than a decade, India’s leader Narendra Modi has seemed politically unassailable, presiding over a government that has outmaneuvered opponents, dominated public discourse and squeezed the space for dissent in the world’s biggest democracy.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
But while in theory, a superhuman AI system might outmaneuver even the most secure containers, there are also actions AI companies could take right now to improve security.

— Harry Booth, Time, 24 July 2026

Definition of outmaneuver

Verb

Mora filed a cross-complaint against Giumarra alleging he was deceived by the company and its representatives into signing a contract that made false claims about the fruit, including that it was patented by Giumarra.

— Robert Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
All the wig and makeup work put into deceiving their people isn’t needed in the first place.

— Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of deceive

Verb

The defending men’s singles champion is Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who defeated Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal match in 2024; the defending women’s champion is China’s Zheng Qinwen, who defeated Croatia’s Donna Vekić.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Drones alone cannot defeat the Russian army, and the culture of Silicon Valley cannot supplant the need for military discipline, Syrsky argued in a column for Militarnyi, a Ukrainian publication focused on defense.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

The team overcame significant injuries to finish 12-5 last season and win a playoff game as Shanahan finished fifth in voting for NFL Coach of the Year.

— Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
For example, while Messi may be today’s superstar, he was overcome by a coordinated system; so investing in the organization is critical.

— Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 25 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

OpenAI's Atlas was once fooled into sending a resignation letter, and Perplexity's Comet exposed user data in tests.

— Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Very difficult to fool, harder to stack and tough enough to play in the box, Moore is exactly what the NFL wants out of a corner in today’s game.

— Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of fool

Browse Nearby Words

outslicks

outsmart

outsmarted

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“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of outsmart

verb

Example Sentences

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