as in outwitted
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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Recent Examples of outsmarted
He gets outsmarted by Forst and trapped in a symbiotic relationship where has to work for the world’s worst man to see his discovery come to fruition.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
However, ancient mythology is filled with examples of crafty foxes being outsmarted by their own traps.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
However, Cena outsmarted him by grabbing the chair, throwing it next to Dom, and pretending to be down on the mat.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Tuchel came to Monaco for a meeting with United’s leaders two weeks after the FA Cup final, in which Ten Hag’s side outsmarted and defeated Manchester City for a momentous win.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2025
Incensed at being outsmarted, the CEO of Weyland-Yutani (Sandra Yi Sencindive) allows one of her employees, a cyborg with very few scruples named Morrow (Babou Ceesay), to use any means necessary to reacquire the biological specimens.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This solution also outsmarted existing industry tools like Gurobi on large-scale delivery simulations.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2025
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
However, ancient mythology is filled with examples of crafty foxes being outsmarted by their own traps.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 20 Jan. 2026
However, Cena outsmarted him by grabbing the chair, throwing it next to Dom, and pretending to be down on the mat.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Tuchel came to Monaco for a meeting with United’s leaders two weeks after the FA Cup final, in which Ten Hag’s side outsmarted and defeated Manchester City for a momentous win.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2025
Incensed at being outsmarted, the CEO of Weyland-Yutani (Sandra Yi Sencindive) allows one of her employees, a cyborg with very few scruples named Morrow (Babou Ceesay), to use any means necessary to reacquire the biological specimens.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
This solution also outsmarted existing industry tools like Gurobi on large-scale delivery simulations.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmarted
Verb
-
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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Maduro has in any case outwitted dozens of attempts to depose him over the years.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In their most recent matchup, UCI defeated the Aztecs, 55-45, at Viejas Arena in the first round of the 2023 WNIT.—
Oc Register,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The Blue Devils defeated Florida, Arkansas, Kansas and Michigan State, among others.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Residents should not be deceived by the unsupported and absurd revenue claims of the Moore administration.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2026
-
So some people got deceived and believed it.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 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
-
Gustavsson also thwarted an early 2-on-0 rush by the Golden Knights.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The ferocity of their scenes together, aided by Arias’ devoted yet outmaneuvered Thea, sets the production ablaze with erotic danger.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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Paramount, which was outmaneuvered by Netflix last December, has received a warmer response from WBD this week and the two media companies are continuing to negotiate.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tatum then isolated against the Spurs big man, fooled him with an up-fake, finished at the rim and smiled after being shoved to the ground.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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This time, most Americans haven’t been fooled, and that gives me hope.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Liv Morgan begged for a tag, but she was outfoxed by a blind tag from Rhea Ripley.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
No doubt remained that I’d been outfoxed.—
Charles Elliott,
Outdoor Life,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Sierra Canyon overcame the loss of Maxi Adams to an ankle injury in the first quarter to defeat Richmond Salesian 78-70.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The win was one of Toronto’s best defensive efforts of the season as the Raptors overcame poor three-point shooting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Outsmarted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmarted. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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