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 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 The Fan, the season-long unsub obsessed with one-upping and outsmarting his idol. — Joyce Eng, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026 Fedorov, meanwhile, represents technological innovation and a determination to outsmart the country’s more powerful invader. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 21 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for outsmart

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart

Verb

All season long, Ray and Sugar have been trying to outwit each other.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 31 July 2026
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

Definition of outwit

Verb

In the footage, players follow the story of Jason and Lucia, a couple living in the fictional Vice City, who are picking up drugs, and their mission is thwarted by the police, who begin to raid the place.

— Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Ortiz vowed to interrogate and, if necessary, kill any traitors who thwarted him and Simon.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of thwart

Verb

The characters' abilities are built around outmaneuvering, not outgunning.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of outmaneuver

Verb

Steph Talbot scored 19 points as Australia defeated Puerto Rico 70-54 to get its campaign off to a winning start.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
The Leipzig scenes are both ephemeral and integral; later, Taro will speculate that if the Germans had had the same revolutionary zeal as the Spanish, Hitler might have been defeated.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

Augusto, Marrero, Hernández and countless others have little choice but to figure things out which, in Cuban parlance, means overcoming whatever obstacle is placed in their way.

— Juan Carlos López, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
McKee, 75, will also have to overcome simmering anger over a bridge repair project that has dragged on longer than expected.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of overcome

Verb

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
Whenever Rebecca can outfox him, Rupert manages to manipulate situations, which is how the Water sign aims to take control of matters.

— Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of outfox

Verb

The film is based on the real-life Operation Fortitude, an Allied military deception designed to fool Nazi Germany about the true location of the D-Day landing in 1944.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Sebastian Galeano fools the Lake Mary defense by carrying it himself and scampers 40 yards for the touchdown.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of outsmart

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

magnanimous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes