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 Perhaps it’s born of the arrogance of power, but they nevertheless continually get outsmarted on one of the few issues where the GOP can make headway. Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 1 June 2025 Instead, Heller outsmarts him by secretly luring Schiller's ship into Finnish waters after tipping off the Finnish Navy and Interpol, who promptly commandeer the vessel and arrest him. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025 So long as Sean McVay’s football obsession doesn’t burn him out, the Rams can outsmart most NFL teams. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025 But occasionally, a bear outsmarts us or overcomes our defenses. Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for outsmart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart
Verb
  • Several TikTok users offered their own stories of feline manipulation, turning the comment section into a community board for cat owners outwitted by their pets.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • In reality, Israel overpowered Iran’s military and outwitted its intelligence with stunning efficiency, demonstrating years, if not decades, of careful preparation in under two weeks.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • Russia's ambitions to produce more military aircraft are being thwarted by a shortage of components caused by sanctions and a growing labor shortage, it has been reported.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
  • The ruling also bolsters Trump’s frequent claims that his expansive use of his executive powers has been unfairly thwarted by judicial overreach.
    Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Step two: Defend against junk fees These nefarious fees are designed either to confuse or deceive consumers.
    Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
  • Several state legislators and other state officials will testify that they were deceived by the conspirators regarding the operations of Phoenix Solutions, according to prosecutors.
    Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • The Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the 2024 World Series four games to one.
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The billionaires will spend endlessly to defeat him.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Becky Lynch overcame Lyra Valkyria and Bayley to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship in what was possibly the match of the night.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • Noncompliance can mean monetary penalties, restricted market access and lasting reputational damage that can be very difficult to overcome.
    Paresh Sagar, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Rohit's captaincy was also in the gun, outfoxed tactically by opposite number Pat Cummins.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • In the most iconic scene, he gets outfoxed on the subway by the French drug lord on a subway, playing cat-and-mouse on the platform.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • His impersonation is so convincing that Lu and Shin are initially fooled.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • Don’t let the size fool you—this ultra-compact charger delivers impressive speed and efficiency for its footprint.
    Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Either way, in a world where everything can be faked — intelligence, emotion, even purpose — the real danger isn’t that AI will outthink us.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • And if this isn’t an isolated incident, then this presents a huge problem for the remnants of humanity, most of whom have survived through a mixture of luck and simply being able to outthink these single-minded creatures.
    Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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