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outsmart

verb

ˌau̇t-ˈsmärt How to pronounce outsmart (audio)
Definition of outsmartnext
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 But, at the same time, the car’s computing system that controls electrical deployment is trying to outsmart them. — Luke Smith, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 At a certain point, people won’t be able to outsmart advanced AI anymore; this is not just another opinion. — Tim Bajarin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 This disease did not retreat because the bacterium weakened or because humanity outsmarted it. — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 29 July 2026 The family-friendly mythological comedy centers on eight ordinary mortals who must combine their wit and courage to outsmart formidable deities, earning the legendary status of the Eight Immortals. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for outsmart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart
  1. outwit
  2. thwart
  3. outmaneuver
  4. deceive
  5. defeat
  6. overcome
  7. outfox
  8. fool
Verb
  • The show, which comes from Brent Montgomery’s Wheelhouse, brings together a group of strangers, in this case celebrity contestants, who must outwit their competition and identify the recipient of a million dollars hiding among them.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
  • All season long, Ray and Sugar have been trying to outwit each other.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
Definition of outwit
Verb
  • There is no reasonable way to put in restrictions to prevent the use of tools to build bioweapons without thwarting progress in the next generation of therapies.
    — Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In some cases, state policies to lower these taxes are thwarted.
    — Vidya Mani, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of thwart
Verb
  • Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ coach who doubles as McVay’s friend, mentor and nemesis, outmaneuvered McVay again.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The characters' abilities are built around outmaneuvering, not outgunning.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of outmaneuver
Verb
  • While self-driving cars learn from static obstacles, fraud models must navigate environments where every variable is actively attempting to deceive the system.
    — Wayne Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Pitinan Packable Rain Jacket With Hood, $27 Packing for a short weekend getaway is deceiving.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • It’s been around forever, packs a punch, and helped us defeat the Nazis in World War II.
    — John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Florida’s new law is a compromise that the industry, which defeated other legislative efforts previously, can live with comfortably.
    — Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Social and playful 694 faces Katmai Brady Bunch member 620, while two bears that overcame incredible odds, 610 and 89 (Backpack), vie for votes in the other first round fight.
    — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 25 Sep. 2026
  • At a meeting of the group's board, the governors unveiled a 66-project blueprint to get things started while acknowledging enormous hurdles that must still be overcome.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Gauff dug in, matched Badosa’s power, and outfoxed her when the opportunities arose.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Both candidates attempted to court voters by outfoxing each other in their support of the then-former president and the race became increasingly negative.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of outfox
Verb
  • Trey Owens fooled the TCU defense with a 34-yard keeper on third-and-1 to get inside the 10-yard line.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The second season of The Paper is a sitcom trying to fool itself.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of fool

Browse Nearby Words

outslicks
outsmart
outsmarted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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