outsmart
Americanverb (used with object)
idioms
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
outsmartsimple
-
outsmartssimple
-
have outsmartedperfect
-
has outsmartedperfect
-
am outsmartingprogressive
-
are outsmartingprogressive
-
is outsmartingprogressive
-
have been outsmartingperfect progressive
-
has been outsmartingperfect progressive
Past
-
outsmartedsimple
-
had outsmartedperfect
-
was outsmartingprogressive
-
were outsmartingprogressive
-
had been outsmartingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of outsmart
Explanation
When you outsmart someone, you use your cleverness or intelligence to defeat them in some way. The roadrunner will always outsmart the coyote, at least according to Saturday morning cartoons. When two countries are negotiating with each other, they're often each trying to outsmart the other — to maneuver in a way that gives them the better deal. A game of chess is all about which player can strategize better, or who can outsmart their opponent. And classic TV detectives use their wit to outsmart the bad guys by the end of each episode.
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.
See Examples For:
A new video series documents Silicon Valley’s most powerful billionaires as they try to outsmart each other in a classic “social deduction” game.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
More broadly, firms have ploughed ahead with AI development - including of "superintelligence" they believe could outsmart humans - while warning of its detrimental impact to some areas of society.
From BBC ● Apr. 7, 2026
"Much depends on the military command but Mykhailo has a vision of how to outsmart the system."
From Barron's ● Mar. 12, 2026
Darnold is long overdue for another stinker, and it will happen here against a Mike Vrabel-coached defense that will simply outsmart him and defensive-minded Seahawks’ coach Mike Macdonald.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2026
“Remember, he’s fighting us. He’s on his guard. The only way we can catch him is to outsmart him—and, within his limitations, he can think much more quickly than a human being.”
From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov
“Maybe that’s post-AGI, once we’ve achieved the mission,” he said, referring to the moment when AI outsmarts humans.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
Like “Red Eye,” “Drop” is a brisk and breathtaking thriller where the woman outsmarts her persecutor at every turn, despite her past traumas.
From Salon ● Apr. 12, 2025
Part of the show’s enduring appeal is tagging along with the unkempt, endlessly resourceful detective as he outsmarts each episode’s suspect, sniffing out clues even his counterparts have overlooked, until a case is cracked.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2024
He’s a drop-back passer with underrated pocket mobility, perfect mechanics and he simply outsmarts everyone else on the field.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 5, 2018
This month, the novel Dahl eventually published, about a 5-year-old genius with telekinetic powers who outsmarts her nincompoop parents and repugnant headmistress, celebrates its 25 anniversary.
From Slate ● Apr. 5, 2013
Italian banker Andrea Orcel did something few thought possible: He outsmarted the Germans on their home turf.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
It’s a macroeconomic version of the pain described by the Moneyist reader, and others like him, who believe that they are being outsmarted and out-earned by their neighbors at every turn.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2025
No, he outsmarted him in periods over 24 rounds.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2023
Riley has already outsmarted Kelly before, and this time, I anticipate he’ll have the entire kitchen sink ready to throw at him.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 15, 2022
His most legendary trick was the time he outsmarted the Devil so that he could marry his daughter.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
Mr. O’Connor’s Daniel has a strange affinity with otherworldly contact and a facility for outsmarting the smartest people in the country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
"It's classic 80s adventure fare, in the best way: kids outsmarting adults, lashings of humour and a surprising amount of heart," the Standard's Vicky Jessop gushed.
From BBC ● Nov. 27, 2025
It was a classic case of the Dodgers’ renowned brain trust outsmarting themselves.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2024
"Dumb Money" depicts working class people outsmarting some of the richest financial minds and companies in the country.
From Salon ● Dec. 1, 2023
Funny, in the arena, when I poured out those berries, I was only thinking of outsmarting the Gamemakers, not how my actions would reflect on the Capitol.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
