as in to outsmart
to get the better of through cleverness
a plan to outwit their opponents at their own game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 outwit
To save her muses and tarot deck, Pamela must outwit and out-magic Aleister with the help of old friends.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
The contestants joining White to outwit, outplay and outlast each other on the famed reality competition series hail from 19 different seasons, including two from the upcoming Season 49, which premieres this fall.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Each jury member had the chance to address the final three, asking them questions about their attempts to outwit, outplay and outlast before casting their $1 million vote.
—Emily Deletter, USA Today, 23 May 2025
There were corridos about the exploits of bandits and outlaws, some of them Robin Hood-esque characters who outwitted oafish authorities and helped the poor.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for outwit
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
The contestants joining White to outwit, outplay and outlast each other on the famed reality competition series hail from 19 different seasons, including two from the upcoming Season 49, which premieres this fall.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Each jury member had the chance to address the final three, asking them questions about their attempts to outwit, outplay and outlast before casting their $1 million vote.
—Emily Deletter, USA Today, 23 May 2025
There were corridos about the exploits of bandits and outlaws, some of them Robin Hood-esque characters who outwitted oafish authorities and helped the poor.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for outwit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outwit
Verb
-
His edge is not in timing the market or outsmarting high-frequency traders.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Screenshots from a June 20 TikTok video of an owner trying to outsmart his German shepherd when giving her a piece of popcorn.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Flat, flexible teams outmaneuver rigid command chains.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
One miscue was a fumble into the end zone from the two-yard line, which thwarted a long drive late in the third quarter.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The Kansas City Royals arrived in Philadelphia looking to thwart the red-hot Phillies and keep alive their slim playoff hopes.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Looks can be deceiving, Cali said.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
There is some relief on the way, but do not be deceived.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In 2023-24, Jones had a career year for the Mavericks, who were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
How Wi-Fi HaLow Can Help Address These Needs To overcome connectivity gaps in large-scale environmental monitoring, some researchers and technologists are turning to Wi-Fi HaLow.—
Michael De Nil,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The movie adaptation is also rife with metaphors about boys becoming men and overcoming life-or-death circumstances to make it out the other side.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
No doubt remained that I’d been outfoxed.—
Charles Elliott,
Outdoor Life,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
“Outwit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outwit. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share