outplay

[ out-pley ]

/ ˌaʊtˈpleɪ /

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verb (used with object)

to play better than.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of outplay

First recorded in 1640–50; out- + play

Words nearby outplay

outparish, outpatient, outperform, outplace, outplacement, outplay, outpoint, outport, outporter, outpost, outpour

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use outplay in a sentence

Even the recent news of an injury to Montreal goalie Carey Price isn’t as bad for the Habs as it sounds, since Price has been outplayed by backup Jake Allen all season anyway.
What We’re Watching In The NHL’s Playoff Races|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|April 22, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Even though the visitors were playing with a patchwork lineup, they still outplayed the Capitals in the game’s opening 20 minutes.
Capitals stumble out of the gate at home, can’t catch up to Bruins|Samantha Pell|April 9, 2021|Washington Post
I think we’ve outplayed projections every year that I’ve been up here, and the plan is to outplay the projections again.
As King Félix tries to make the Orioles, the Orioles just try to make progress|Chelsea Janes|March 12, 2021|Washington Post
Embiid outplayed Anthony Davis on Wednesday to finish with 28 points, six rebounds and four assists in a signature win over the Lakers.
Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic are bringing centers back into the NBA MVP conversation|Ben Golliver|January 30, 2021|Washington Post

In their one NFL matchup thus far, in 2018, the Chiefs defeated the Browns, 37-21, as Mahomes outplayed Mayfield.
Believe it or not, the oldest QB left in the AFC playoffs is Baker Mayfield|Des Bieler|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
She went into the game fiercely resolving to outplay her team-mates if she could.
Marjorie Dean, College Senior|Pauline Lester
Youre up against a heady bunch of fellows and youve got to outwit them as well as outplay them if youre going to win.
Left Half Harmon|Ralph Henry Barbour
Match yourself against the men who can outplay you, not against the men you already excel.
If You Don't Write Fiction|Charles Phelps Cushing
Angle had to endure many taunts at the failure of all his attempts to outplay Grettir.
The Book of Romance|Various
He was supremely confident that he could outplay the German statesmen and military leaders.
Bolshevism|John Spargo

British Dictionary definitions for outplay

outplay

/ (aʊtˈpleɪ) /

verb (tr)

to perform better than one's opponent in a sport or game

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

outplay

Origin of outplay

Words nearby outplay

Words related to outplay

How to use outplay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for outplay