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
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
Live Oak plans to use Casca as the engine behind its effort to bring transparency and structure to a part of the market known more for speed and opacity than fairness, a move that mirrors its history of outsmarting bigger rivals.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsmart
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
Live Oak plans to use Casca as the engine behind its effort to bring transparency and structure to a part of the market known more for speed and opacity than fairness, a move that mirrors its history of outsmarting bigger rivals.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 18 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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And those three will still have to outwit the likes of Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Chris Bailey, who have proven themselves on the qualifying stage.—
Cory Mull,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
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Marable then came up with a fumble recovery to thwart a Red Oak drive as the Cougars trailed 20-18 at intermission.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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In Greenberg’s novel, Cherry and Hero are already secret lovers who conspire to thwart the menfolk’s machinations.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
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Errani and Vavassori outmaneuvered the Top 5 singles players.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Looks can be deceiving, Cali said.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
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There is some relief on the way, but do not be deceived.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Colleyville Heritage defeated Richland 30-21 in a game halted early in the third quarter after a second lightning delay Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium.—
Jordan Neal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
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Dryden also represented his country several times, most notably helping Team Canada defeat the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Outperforming some of them on the pitch is one thing, but Newcastle cannot yet overcome the off-field strength of the ‘Big Six’.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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Part of the presentation focused on helping people overcome their fear of being ostracized for having plants seen as too wild.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 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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Hurricanes explained by Ginger Zee Don't be fooled by the lack of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
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After driving his team to the 1-yard line, Fields fooled the entire Steelers defense on a fourth down, faking a handoff and then high-stepping into the end zone untouched to take a 32-31 lead.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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