outsmart

[ out-smahrt ]

See synonyms for: outsmart outsmarted outsmarting outsmarts on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to get the better of (someone); outwit.

Idioms about outsmart

outsmart oneself, to defeat oneself unintentionally by overly elaborate intrigue, scheming, or the like: This time he may have outsmarted himself.

Origin of outsmart

1925–30; out- + smart (adj.)

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

How to use outsmart in a sentence

Unless we can suppress transmission to almost zero, the virus will keep outsmarting us.
We could know soon whether vaccines work against a scary new coronavirus variant | Antonio Regalado | January 23, 2021 | MIT Technology Review
We can outsmart the brain’s fear response and find moments that sparkle with promise.
Boost your mood with emotional brain training | By Laurel Mellin/The Conversation | January 4, 2021 | Popular-Science
Numerous prior studies show humans enjoy outsmarting each other because it’s challenging—think hackers who try to crack a computer system for the love of the puzzle, not any material gain.
Playing bad can shape behavior, but not in the way you think | Erin Blakemore | September 28, 2020 | Popular-Science
Silicon Valley has outsmarted Hollywood, and deserves some credit for how it has played the game.
Apple Wants Beats So It Can Control You | Ted Gioia | May 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In Season 1, Frank basically outmaneuvered and outsmarted everyone.
Beau Willimon on Most Shocking Twists in ‘House of Cards’ Season 2 | Andrew Romano | February 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

The crew outsmarted the pirates, who were all between 17 and 19 years of age.
‘Captain Phillips’ Is a Gripping, Award-Worthy Film | Marlow Stern | September 28, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Yes, the GOP was outsmarted, out-teched and out-campaigned in 2012.
Barack Obama’s Herbert Hoover Budget a Political Boon for Republicans | Lloyd Green | April 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Today, it appears to be one of the first times SEC officials were outsmarted by Madoff.
The Madoff Family Splinters | Allan Dodds Frank | June 27, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
He hadn't outsmarted the Germans as much as he had believed.
Dave Dawson with the R.A.F | R. Sidney Bowen
"Yes, we'd have missed all of the show if Allison hadn't outsmarted that Gestapo officer," Stan agreed.
A Yankee Flier in Italy | Rutherford G. Montgomery
But being Perfidion, he had wanted Mallory to know how completely he was being outsmarted.
A Knyght Ther Was | Robert F. Young
Philip thought he had outsmarted the ruler, but he was wrong.
FreeChildrenStories.com Collection | Daniel Errico

British Dictionary definitions for outsmart

outsmart

/ (ˌaʊtˈsmɑːt) /

verb

(tr) informal 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

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