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
However, ancient mythology is filled with examples of crafty foxes being outsmarted by their own traps.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
The Dodgers not only outspend every team by a wide margin, but also outsmart and outperform them.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
The attacker does not need to outsmart Instagram.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Even young people trying to outsmart automation by ditching degrees or upskilling into trade jobs are destined for the same dead end.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsmart
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
The Dodgers not only outspend every team by a wide margin, but also outsmart and outperform them.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
The attacker does not need to outsmart Instagram.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Even young people trying to outsmart automation by ditching degrees or upskilling into trade jobs are destined for the same dead end.
—Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outsmart
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart
Verb
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Probst, who grew up in the Seattle area and started his career here, is synonymous with the show that’s outlasted (and outwitted, and outplayed) any TV counterpart.—
Paige Cornwell,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
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Millions watched this new kind of reality TV competition show in the summer of 2000 to see players try to outwit, outplay and outlast each other while at the same time trying to survive.—
Christopher Kuhagen,
jsonline.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For the past six years, attempts by Chinese companies to invest in India had been thwarted by a web of security clearances from India's foreign and home ministries.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
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There are other ballot measure proposals aimed at thwarting the billionaires tax.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As their bold production takes shape, a rival white theatre mounts its own Richard III just blocks away, threatening to undermine, overshadow, and outmaneuver them.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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Throughout the novels, characters tell stories to persuade, intimidate, and outmaneuver each other.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Defamation, which refers to a false statement of fact that is reputationally damaging, and false light, which is a technically true statement but is presented in a highly deceiving fashion, are other possible legal actions.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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Looks, too, can be deceiving for those not on the grounds.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Luka Doncic scored 44 points despite not playing the fourth quarter, and the Lakers defeated the struggling Indiana Pacers 128-117 on Friday night with LeBron James and Deandre Ayton out because of injury.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Birdville defeated Heritage 77-71 in the state semifinals last season before falling in the state title game to Beaumont West Brook in overtime.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president's endorsement didn't clear the GOP crowded field to replace Greene — some observers cast that as a sign of weakness — but Fuller easily overcame other Republican contenders.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
11 Mar. 2026
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Next, despite a close first half, Kansas State couldn’t overcome BYU and star freshman AJ Dybansta, falling to the Cougars 105-91 to finish off a disappointing season.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Liv Morgan begged for a tag, but she was outfoxed by a blind tag from Rhea Ripley.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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But even foxes can outfox themselves by their own designs.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump proves experts got fooled again.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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The quick shot that fooled Wallstedt was MacKinnon’s NHL-leading 43rd of the season.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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