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.

But despite showing more grit, they were again outplayed by an Australian team who suffered a setback with spin wizard Nathan Lyon hurting his hamstring and hobbling off.

From Barron's

We walked off in front of 85,000 people knowing we had been thoroughly outplayed.

From BBC

Wales responded by producing one of their greatest performances, thoroughly outplaying the World Cup semi-finalists in front of a raucous Cardiff City Stadium crowd.

From BBC

For England, they were completely outplayed but it does feel like a missed opportunity considering their dominant record against the Proteas, and that they had managed to avoid India or Australia.

From BBC

His team is full of talent and can now outplay sides in open play, keep clean sheets and, on top of that, they can score regularly from set-plays too.

From BBC

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