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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of outsmart
Each episode will see the heroes explore new lands — from glittering mining mountains to secret vault cities — solving puzzles, cracking codes and outsmarting digital bandits along the way.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Much of the pleasure of John Lee Hancock’s marginal thriller comes in the familiar sight of Washington outsmarting those around him and projecting a weary grandeur that suggests all the horrors this man has seen on the job.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
But authorities are confident Brown won’t outsmart them.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
But as is often the case with singular rule and kingdoms built on lies and deception, the pathetic nuance of Richard is left bare as others outsmart him.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsmart
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Much of the pleasure of John Lee Hancock’s marginal thriller comes in the familiar sight of Washington outsmarting those around him and projecting a weary grandeur that suggests all the horrors this man has seen on the job.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
But authorities are confident Brown won’t outsmart them.
—Holly Yan, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2025
But as is often the case with singular rule and kingdoms built on lies and deception, the pathetic nuance of Richard is left bare as others outsmart him.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsmart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart
Verb
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Ben Shapiro, Pete Buttigieg, Michael Knowles, Alex O’Connor—these are professional debaters capable of outwitting and outreasoning almost any audience member unfamiliar with traditional debate techniques, regardless of the topic or claim being considered.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
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The irony was that the filmmaking team did this by going small: the third act of that 2013 movie as newly penned by Damon Lindelof and Drew Goddard famously featured a much quieter and more intimate ending in which Pitt walks carefully to outwit a single zombie.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One miscue was a fumble into the end zone from the two-yard line, which thwarted a long drive late in the third quarter.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Kansas City Royals arrived in Philadelphia looking to thwart the red-hot Phillies and keep alive their slim playoff hopes.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Flat, flexible teams outmaneuver rigid command chains.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The encounter took place less than two weeks after a confrontation at another South China Sea hot spot—Scarborough Shoal—that saw a Chinese navy destroyer and a China coast guard ship collide after being outmaneuvered by a smaller Philippine coast guard cutter.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This requires honesty, particularly self-honesty, as leaders can deceive themselves with what seems like progress.—
Dmitry Malin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The band’s attorneys said that consumers could be easily deceived by the products allegedly sold on the marketplace, which could, in turn, cause reputational damage for Twenty One Pilots and its legitimate products.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In 2023-24, Jones had a career year for the Mavericks, who were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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How Wi-Fi HaLow Can Help Address These Needs To overcome connectivity gaps in large-scale environmental monitoring, some researchers and technologists are turning to Wi-Fi HaLow.—
Michael De Nil,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The movie adaptation is also rife with metaphors about boys becoming men and overcoming life-or-death circumstances to make it out the other side.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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He was outfoxed, outplayed and frustrated by the calm version of Daniil Medvedev in 2023, and lost in straight sets to Botic van De Zandschulp in the second round last year.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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No doubt remained that I’d been outfoxed.—
Charles Elliott,
Outdoor Life,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Your press release isn’t fooling anyone.—
Roberta Matuson,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Replacing Nina with a woman who has the same initials as her is not going to fool us!—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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