outthink

American  

[out-thingk] / ˌaʊtˈθɪŋk /

verb (used with object)

outthought, outthinking

1. to excel in thinking; think; think faster, more accurately, or more perceptively than.

   outthinking most of her contemporaries in the field of human relations.

2. to get the advantage of (someone) by quick or clever thinking; think; outwit.

   only a split second to outthink his opponent.

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outthink British  

/ ˌaʊtˈθɪŋk /

verb

1. to outdo in thinking

2. to outwit

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Etymology

Origin of outthink

First recorded in 1695–1705; out- + think ¹

Example Sentences

OpenAI was founded to pursue artificial general intelligence, broadly defined as being able to outthink humans at almost all tasks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

Fedora on head, bullwhip in hand, mind racing a mile a minute to outthink hot-on-his-heels pursuers, he’s very much the Indy of old.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2023

“If you keep your mental game, you’ll get close. I’m not going to outhit and outputt them, but I can outthink them.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2023

In the moment, I want to find a reason, and I want to believe I can outthink the next one.

From Washington Post • Feb. 14, 2023

The important thing was to outthink the enemy, find his weakness, let him have his moment of exultation.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman