Thesaurus results for OUTSMARTED

outsmarted

verb

past tense of outsmart

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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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 outsmarted 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 The world’s leading superpower was outsmarted by Iran, perhaps because Iran’s secretary of defense took his job seriously. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Meanwhile, Tyreese is outsmarted by the Terminus Tiger Fan, who grabs baby Judith and threatens to snap her neck unless Tyreese walks unarmed into a herd of walkers outside. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026 And some of the bees that technically failed the test may have actually outsmarted their contemporaries—by learning to work smarter, not harder. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 4 June 2026 Instead of drafting franchise cornerstones in JaMarr Chase or Penei Sewell, ex-GM Chris Grier outsmarted himself. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 The struggle resonated with parents on Reddit, many of whom admitted they have been outsmarted by their own baby gear. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026 In each of these cases, a tech company outsmarted a human—or several—either by producing text convincing enough to pass the smell test, or by creating and marketing a service that convinced a writer to offload part of their labor. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmarted

Verb

Towering over the town is another, much bigger, Venetian fort, the Palamidhi (named after Palamedes, Nafplio’s legendarily clever local hero, who outwitted Odysseus and, well, didn’t live long enough to regret it).

— Helen Brown, TheWeek, 30 Apr. 2026
Twenty-six years ago, students treated a visit by then-President Bill Clinton as a challenge, and outwitted the Secret Service by secretly rigging a banner to unfurl at an inopportune moment.

— Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2026

Definition of outwitted

Verb

Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring with a spectacular cross-shot that deceived Jordan Pickford and, although Jude Bellingham struck back for England in first-half stoppage time, Norway looked the more likely winners as the second period wore on.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Only after this second handover did my father realize he had been deceived.

— Ari Maas, New York Daily News, 11 July 2026

Definition of deceived

Verb

As Deadline reported last week, Tatro was in talks to join the DC Universe as the hyper-intelligent telepathic ape who has sought to rule both the simian and human worlds, though the Flash has frequently thwarted his plans.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 July 2026
An episode of severe weather was expected across northern New England earlier this week, but was thwarted by the presence of thick wildfire smoke from Canada.

— Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 15 July 2026

Definition of thwarted

Verb

In the end, Seattle outmaneuvered and outbodied the Sparks, snatching steals and flipping the ball around the perimeter until the Storm fired off a shot.

— Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
The series will also recreate pivotal moments from Carlos’ life, while Carr examines how Carlos outmaneuvered intelligence services before being captured.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 24 June 2026

Definition of outmaneuvered

Verb

His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Don’t be fooled by their jaw-dropping price; the flats boast a luxe look thanks to their low profile and—of course—glove silhouette.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 3 July 2026

Definition of fooled

Verb

The ship overcame the engine failure and continued flying toward a pinpoint water landing in the Indian Ocean, but SpaceX had to skip an attempt to reignite a Raptor engine in space.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
The Kings nearly overcame a 16-point deficit, but the Celtics held on for an 82-76 victory at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

— Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of overcame

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outsmarted

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“Outsmarted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmarted. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of outsmarted

verb

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