Synonyms

outgeneral

American

[out-jen-er-uhl] / ˌaʊtˈdʒɛn ər əl /

verb (used with object)

outgeneraled, outgeneraling, outgeneralled, outgeneralling

to outdo or surpass in generalship.

outgeneral British

/ ˌaʊtˈdʒɛnərəl /

verb

(tr) to surpass in generalship

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of outgeneral

First recorded in 1760–70; out- + general

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.

There were many signs, and I had to be always on the lookout to outgeneral them.

From Death Valley in '49 by Manly, William Lewis

He had spent four hundred dollars in recovering one third of the stolen money, and had suffered the thief to outgeneral him.

From The Mystery of Monastery Farm by Naylor, H. R.

To outgeneral a dog-fancier was a tribute to his shrewdness; to save two hundred dollars on a single purchase was economy of a high order.

From The Auction Block by Beach, Rex Ellingwood

When I met you today I at once knew it was all up with me unless I could outgeneral you—and I think I have.

From The Mystery of Monastery Farm by Naylor, H. R.

Well, as anybody at the Drones will tell you, Bertram Wooster is a pretty hard chap to outgeneral.

From Right Ho, Jeeves by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023