Synonyms

outplay

American

[out-pley] / ˌaʊtˈpleɪ /

verb (used with object)

to play better than.

outplay British

/ aʊtˈpleɪ /

verb

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

Etymology

Origin of outplay

First recorded in 1640–50; out- + play

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.

Not much more to say other than Sri Lanka outplayed us.

From BBC

"We know that it's a huge event, Pakistan against India. We obviously won five games on the bounce before today so we were confident, but today we got outplayed," said Hesson.

From Barron's

"Pakistan certainly outplayed us throughout the whole series. As I said yesterday, there are learnings for us in this series," said Marsh.

From Barron's

"So calm and collected. Completely outplayed all of us. Brilliant."

From BBC

This game was won by the underrated Patriots defense, which outplayed Houston’s hailed D and turned Stroud’s frigid afternoon miserable.

From The Wall Street Journal

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