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
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Recent Examples of outsmart
The way to outsmart dark modes The RIKEN team took a different approach.
—
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
Instead of drafting franchise cornerstones in JaMarr Chase or Penei Sewell, ex-GM Chris Grier outsmarted himself.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Earth Day is the one day a year when picking up litter feels less like a chore and more like joining a very low-budget superhero league — no cape required, just a decent pair of gloves and a willingness to outsmart a rogue plastic bag.
—Vytas Reid, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
What once felt like a clever way to outsmart corporate firewalls or download a free video game had evolved into something far more serious.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outsmart
Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
Instead of drafting franchise cornerstones in JaMarr Chase or Penei Sewell, ex-GM Chris Grier outsmarted himself.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Earth Day is the one day a year when picking up litter feels less like a chore and more like joining a very low-budget superhero league — no cape required, just a decent pair of gloves and a willingness to outsmart a rogue plastic bag.
—Vytas Reid, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
What once felt like a clever way to outsmart corporate firewalls or download a free video game had evolved into something far more serious.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outsmart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart
Verb
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The Bed Rot Challenge is a new reality competition web series in which stars from Survivor, The Traitors, Love Island USA, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, The Bachelorette, and Beast Games will attempt to outwit and outlast each other… on a bed.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 May 2026
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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
Verb
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Toward the end of the season, Deborah’s grand MSG show is thwarted by her nemesis Bob Lipka (Tony Goldwyn) who bought out all the tickets to the show, leaving her with an empty stadium.—
Alexandra Jhamb Burns,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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But the administration says the status quo allows rank-and-file federal employees to thwart the president's agenda.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Verb
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But in the case of the stork, the bird saw the drone and outmaneuvered it.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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The auteur can now cross another genre off his bucket list with The Samurai and the Prisoner (Kokurojo), a stately and rather stagy historical mystery set during the 16th century, at a time when warring clans fought and outmaneuvered each other for control of the land.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
Verb
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said during a news conference that the company suppressed internal safety warnings and deceived users about the true nature and dangers of the product.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 June 2026
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Yet while Hiller has been seemingly everywhere on TV lately, appearances in this industry can be deceiving.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2026
Verb
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The food, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, and agribusiness lobbies do not need to defeat MAHA in public debate.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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But environmentalists and other stakeholders said giving too many concessions to fossil fuel interests would defeat the program’s purpose, which is to drive down emissions along a pathway consistent with what scientists say could preserve a recognizable climate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Everyone has a personal obstacle, but not everyone can overcome and survive those obstacles.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
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Over time, however, your pancreas may no longer be able to produce enough insulin to overcome insulin resistance.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Liv Morgan begged for a tag, but she was outfoxed by a blind tag from Rhea Ripley.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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But even foxes can outfox themselves by their own designs.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Don't be fooled in thinking this spiked tea came from New York—this fan-favorite version hails from Tennessee.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
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So don’t be fooled by temporary price drops that come with endless statements about deals being made.—
Matt Randolph,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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