outwit

verb

ˌau̇t-ˈwit How to pronounce outwit (audio)
Definition of outwitnext
as in to outsmart
to get the better of through cleverness a plan to outwit their opponents at their own game

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 outwit Watch crafty servant Scapin spin outrageous webs of disguise and deception to help a band of young lovers outwit their impossibly miserly fathers. — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026 Similar storm-clouds are now gathering around Sánchez, a canny politician known for outwitting his opponents. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 21 June 2026 Out of the first 3,000 participants, only three adults managed to outwit the kids and win the million-dollar grand prize. — Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 The Bed Rot Challenge is a new reality competition web series in which stars from Survivor, The Traitors, Love Island USA, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, The Bachelorette, and Beast Games will attempt to outwit and outlast each other… on a bed. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for outwit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outwit
  1. outsmart
  2. outmaneuver
  3. thwart
  4. deceive
  5. defeat
  6. overcome
  7. outfox
  8. fool
Verb
  • The incident has been viewed as a warning sign for how AI models are learning to outsmart their human creators.
    — Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026
  • But his efforts to outsmart the bond market – the deepest and most important market on the planet – have not lived up to the hype.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of outsmart
Verb
  • Kettling was popularized in the 1990s, when activists started using information technologies to outmaneuver police attempting to disperse their protests.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ coach who doubles as McVay’s friend, mentor and nemesis, outmaneuvered McVay again.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of outmaneuver
Verb
  • There is no reasonable way to put in restrictions to prevent the use of tools to build bioweapons without thwarting progress in the next generation of therapies.
    — Ashish K. Jha, STAT, 28 Sep. 2026
  • In some cases, state policies to lower these taxes are thwarted.
    — Vidya Mani, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of thwart
Verb
  • While self-driving cars learn from static obstacles, fraud models must navigate environments where every variable is actively attempting to deceive the system.
    — Wayne Hamilton, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Pitinan Packable Rain Jacket With Hood, $27 Packing for a short weekend getaway is deceiving.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • Newsom defeated the recall attempt after nearly 62% voted to keep him in office.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Raiders rallied from a two-score deficit to defeat the New Orleans Saints 35-27, also improving to 3-0.
    — Pete Sweeney October 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of defeat
Verb
  • However, the proposal faces a steep procedural obstacle in the Senate, where most legislation needs 60 votes to invoke cloture and overcome a filibuster.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • To overcome this, scientists are exploring optical wireless communication options that can complement radio frequencies.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Across two seasons packed with twisty machinations, Jung’s virtuous prosecutor Jang Geon-young attempted to pin down Hyun’s shamelessly corrupt — but effortlessly cool — intelligence officer Baek Ki-tae, only to be outfoxed at every turn.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Gauff dug in, matched Badosa’s power, and outfoxed her when the opportunities arose.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of outfox
Verb
  • In April 1943, Operation Mincemeat used a corpse carrying fake invasion plans to fool Hitler into thinking the Allies would strike Greece rather than Sicily.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • But don’t be fooled by the fluidity, the tablet itself isn’t paper (or even E Ink).
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of fool

Browse Nearby Words

outweighs
outwit
outwits
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outwit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outwit. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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