outthink

American  

[aut-thingk] / ˌaʊtˈθɪŋk /

verb (used with object)

outthought, outthinking

1. to excel in thinking 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; 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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outthink outthinking outthought

He has been telling anyone who asks that he thinks large language models, or LLMs, are a dead end in the pursuit of computers that can truly outthink humans.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 15, 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

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

This was a collection of women blasting ball after ball after ball, mostly trying to pummel opponents into submission rather than outthink them.

From New York Times ● Nov. 18, 2021

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

And Guenevere is now a strategic helpmate, periodically outthinking her husband.

From New York Times ● Mar. 22, 2023

He is an almost legendary figure in American and Western popular culture as some type of super-spy and KGB killer who is always playing 3-D chess and outthinking his opponents.

From Salon ● Dec. 22, 2022

Let me spoil it for you: Ashe prevailed, outplaying and outthinking Connors to become the first African American man to win Wimbledon.

From New York Times ● Dec. 2, 2021

“Just being able to be patient and outthinking guys and just playing at your own speed is vital for me.”

From Washington Times ● Mar. 15, 2017

Not too easy—he must feel he is outthinking you.

From The K-Factor by Harry Harrison

"He wasn't just knocked out - he was outboxed, outthought and outfought and, ultimately, bullied by the stronger, younger, fitter guy," said former world champion Barry Jones on the 5 Live Boxing podcast.

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2024

In the end, Ms. Markle outthought us all.

From New York Times ● May 19, 2018

“They outworked us, the outplayed us, they outthought us. Whatever adjective you want to use, they did it to us tonight.”

From Washington Times ● Feb. 23, 2018

Watford outfought and outthought a vulnerable Everton side to take all three points on a dank December lunchtime.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 10, 2016

Lee outthought Hooker, even though he knew far less about Hooker’s army than Hooker knew about his.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

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