Synonyms

outsmart

American

[out-smahrt] / ˌaʊtˈsmɑrt /

verb (used with object)

to get the better of (someone); outwit.

idioms

outsmart oneself, to defeat oneself unintentionally by overly elaborate intrigue, scheming, or the like.

This time he may have outsmarted himself.

outsmart British

/ ˌaʊtˈsmɑːt /

verb

informal (tr) to get the better of; outwit

"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 outsmart

1925–30; out- + smart (adj.)

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.

"Much depends on the military command but Mykhailo has a vision of how to outsmart the system."

From Barron's

The more I thought about how that big monkey had outsmarted me, the madder I got.

From Literature

“Bet you thought you could outsmart us,” Frederick continued.

From Literature

Players instead rely on solving puzzles, outsmarting systems, overcoming obstacles, teamwork and athleticism.

From BBC

In the group Slack, Claudius became an oddly real presence, a co-worker people collaborated with in small groups, teased and collectively tried to outsmart.

From The Wall Street Journal

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