outfox
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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outfoxsimple
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outfoxessimple
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have outfoxedperfect
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has outfoxedperfect
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am outfoxingprogressive
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are outfoxingprogressive
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is outfoxingprogressive
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have been outfoxingperfect progressive
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has been outfoxingperfect progressive
Past
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outfoxedsimple
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had outfoxedperfect
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was outfoxingprogressive
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were outfoxingprogressive
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had been outfoxingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of outfox
Explanation
To outfox someone is to defeat them at something using quick thinking or sneaky tricks. Some of the most popular fictional detectives cleverly outfox their foes. You can attempt to outfox your opponent at poker using tricky strategies and bluffs. A political candidate can also try to outfox a rival, either through smart debate tactics or sneakier, more underhanded means. Outfox has been used in this way since the 1930s, from the old-fashioned verb fox, "to delude or deceive," which stems from the idea (popular in folklore) of foxes being wily or tricky.
Vocabulary lists containing outfox
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
There is a way that these repetitive movements can ward off calamities, outfox deterioration, at least to a point.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2025
Earlier, world number 86 Maria used her slice-heavy style of play to outfox 11th-ranked Rybakina.
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2025
Can Lue show he can again outfox opposing coaches with his lineup choices and in-game adjustments?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2023
The protesters’ coordinated responses seek to outfox law enforcement.
From New York Times ● Feb. 15, 2022
It was impossible to outfox her at this game.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Krychowiak’s dummy outfoxes Emre Can before he slips a pass to Gibbs, whose low cross catches Van Dijk out, the defender preoccupied by Robson-Kanu.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 27, 2018
Murray wasn’t best pleased at the time taken to appeal but he outfoxes Tomic with a drop shot for 30-0 anyway.
From The Guardian ● Sep. 20, 2015
Much of Meany's consistent success is due to his own stubborn endurance; he outplots, outfoxes and above all outlasts his opponents.
From Time Magazine Archive
But the rodent soon outfoxes the patient by employing a bit of orthodontia.
From Time Magazine Archive
In which a wise man from Philadelphia goes to Paris and outfoxes spies of two nations.
From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen
Look what he accomplished; look how he outfoxed and defeated every opponent.
From Salon ● Nov. 16, 2025
So was my father’s, a sly teacher of life lessons to the end, who outfoxed me one final time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025
The Wallabies’ deft offloading, like the All Blacks seven days earlier, outfoxed England out wide as men were missed and passing channels left open.
From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2024
Nick Nurse, the former Raptors coach who outfoxed Budenholzer en route to the 2019 title, happens to be a free agent.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 27, 2023
He might have outfoxed the Owner for the moment, but that greasy-haired fool with his book was making Toby nervous.
From "A Tangle of Knots" by Lisa Graff
“Red foxes are colonizing the Arctic, and they’re outfoxing the Arctic foxes,” he says.
From Scientific American ● Jan. 25, 2023
Fittipaldi takes the lead on Lap 185 and holds on, outfoxing Formula One champion Nigel Mansell, who hesitates on a restart, and by the time he reacts Fittipaldi is by him.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2020
But maybe he can keep outfoxing his own mind.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 3, 2019
Lee Casciaro's second-half goal did the damage, the Ministry of Defence police officer outfoxing Efe Ambrose to score.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2016
GMT14:51 19 mins: 19-year-old midfielder Danilo gives Busquets the eyes, before outfoxing him with a shimmy that delights the Mestalla.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 5, 2015
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
