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

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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 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 McClair, a scurrying cerebral Glaswegian signed from Celtic and one of the few players to outsmart his boss Sir Alex Ferguson, had become the first in 20 years, since Best, to score 20 league goals for United. — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 17 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

The 78-year-old had been indicted in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related ⁠to Covid-19 research grants.

— Reuters, NBC news, 19 Aug. 2026
The 78-year-old had been indicted in April on charges related to what prosecutors said was a scheme to thwart public records requests received by the agency beginning in April 2020 related to COVID-19 research grants.

— Nate Raymond, USA Today, 19 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

Now some say the operation has left them feeling deceived and questioning whether the White House considered their safety.

— Scott Nover, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2026
The two proceed to deceive each other, insult each other’s appearances, and abandon each other in precarious situations.

— Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of deceive

Verb

Beyer won the Democratic nomination the same day, defeating four challengers and securing roughly 68% of the vote.

— Amy DeLaura, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
But the superhero family eventually regains public sympathy for superheroes after defeating the evil Screenslaver (voiced by Catherine Keener).

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of defeat

Verb

Unlike in the Senate, where Democratic votes can be necessary to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold, Jeffries commands a minority caucus in a chamber where Republicans can pass most legislation with a simple majority.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Lorne Balfe From overcoming dyslexia with early synths to navigating AI, remote recording, and spatial audio, the blockbuster composer reveals how technology shapes his scores.

— Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 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

Browse Nearby Words

outslicks

outsmart

outsmarted

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“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of outsmart

verb

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