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 this will be forever known as a day when football’s smartest organization got outsmarted, when football’s best coach fumbled and when the San Francisco 49ers turned football’s giants into so much shrimp on the barbie. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 After being humiliated and outsmarted when Julia escaped his grasp with Henry’s help in the season one finale, Lovat is presumably more dangerous than ever — and Henry will need to find a way back to save her once again. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 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 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 Dogs tend to be just that, loyal meatheads of the kind that clever agents like River can outwit by the dozen.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Diagnose the monster before deciding which mind and which move are required to outwit it.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of outwit
Verb
  • The requirements are aimed at thwarting fraud or improper enrollments.
    — Julie Appleby, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
  • That was the defensive stop needed to swing the tides of momentum, and Mensah didn’t thwart that opportunity.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of thwart
Verb
  • First-year Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ former offensive coordinator, outcoached and outmaneuvered McVay, his friend and mentor.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The original 1960s cars had legendary status dominating the Monte Carlo Rally, outmaneuvering heavier machinery across icy mountain passes with lightweight agility rather than brute off-road hardware.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of outmaneuver
Verb
  • But don’t be deceived, these are not primarily poems of the body, though the animal body–the dog, the human, meat– return throughout.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The first rule of thumb—and a solid piece of advice to live by—is that looks can be deceiving.
    — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • The students led those protests before challenging and defeating Vucic at the early ballot on Sunday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The Milwaukee Brewers capped a dominating October on Wednesday night by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 of the World Series.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • Tested on three below-knee amputees, this technique could overcome the limitations of current muscle-signal systems.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • This front row seat to past moments — including some that involve Ethan — leads Hannah to reflect, break out of her comfort zone and overcome her fear of failure.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Across two seasons packed with twisty machinations, Jung’s virtuous prosecutor Jang Geon-young attempted to pin down Hyun’s shamelessly corrupt — but effortlessly cool — intelligence officer Baek Ki-tae, only to be outfoxed at every turn.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Gauff dug in, matched Badosa’s power, and outfoxed her when the opportunities arose.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of outfox
Verb
  • The Pleiades open star cluster Don't be fooled by their beauty; the blue-white stars of the Pleiades are dripping in spooky lore.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Chiefs-Seahawks game prediction Don’t be fooled be the records.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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