outwitted

past tense of outwit

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 outwitted 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 The Rams, seeded 11th, caused an average of 22 turnovers per game with its full-court trapping defense and outwitted everyone in their run from First Four to Final Four. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Mar. 2026 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 Though Penn State had a key injury with linebacker Tony Rojas sidelined, Knowles was also outwitted by Neuheisel, who only took over the role for the Bruins earlier this week. Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outwitted
Verb
  • Norway defeated Brazil, while England emerged victorious against Mexico, taking them both through to the quarter-finals.
    Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Without a pole, hook, or tree to climb, squirrels are left defeated and bereft.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • 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
Verb
  • Part of the robot’s training was to handle situations in which its handlers have deliberately deceived it.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 6 July 2026
  • In the second half, the Paraguayan then deceived the Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev into a yellow card for Michael Olise.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Verb
  • On top of that, there was a terror attack plot at one of her concerts in Vienna in 2024, which was thwarted.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026
  • While they were successfully thwarted, the country’s Cyber Security Council noted that cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to develop more advanced techniques.
    Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 7 July 2026
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
Verb
  • 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
  • The fluffy blooms on mimosa trees (Albizia julibrissin) look pretty in pink, but don’t be fooled by their dainty appearance.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 July 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
  • Jude Bellingham scored twice in a two-minute span to give England a 2-0 lead, Mexico rallied, Kane scored the go-ahead goal on a penalty kick and England overcame a Jarell Quansah red card, playing the final 48 minutes a man down.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
  • Pitching in the rotation spot vacated when Randy Vásquez went on the IL with a right ankle bruise, Márquez overcame a 31-pitch first inning and was able to walk off the mound four innings later pumping his fist after throwing just 51 more.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Outwitted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outwitted. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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