outwit

[ out-wit ]

/ ˌaʊtˈwɪt /

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See synonyms for: outwit / outwits / outwitted / outwitting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), out·wit·ted, out·wit·ting.

to get the better of by superior ingenuity or cleverness; outsmart: to outwit a dangerous opponent.

Archaic. to surpass in wisdom or knowledge.

OTHER WORDS FOR outwit

1 outguess, outfox, outmaneuver, outthink, finesse.

See synonyms for outwit on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of outwit

First recorded in 1645–55; out- + wit¹

Words nearby outwit

outwash plain, outwatch, outwear, outweigh, outwent, outwit, outwith, out with it, outwork, outworn, outwrite

How to use outwit in a sentence

The research team is putting a pin in their red-hot research for now, but Garagouni hopes it will serve as a springboard for others on the quest to outwit dolphins.
Dolphins aren’t afraid of a little hot sauce|Sarah Keartes / Hakai Magazine|November 23, 2022|Popular-Science
In civilization, you don’t need to outwit lions and antelopes, or memorize every fruit tree and watering hole within 1,000 square miles.
Future Evolution: How Will Humans Change in the Next 10,000 Years?|Nicholas R. Longrich|March 3, 2022|Singularity Hub
Although some people only litter unintentionally when they are outwitted by wild animals rummaging through their trash at night, millions of others admit to intentionally throwing garbage out of their moving cars.
Most roadside litter comes from just down the street|Carla Delgado|February 24, 2022|Popular-Science
Technologically, that means investing in hypersonic missiles to match those of China or Russia, for instance, or in military artificial intelligence to try outwitting them.
The Taliban, not the West, won Afghanistan’s technological war|Christopher Ankersen, Mike Martin|August 23, 2021|MIT Technology Review

The virus continues to evolve, and as it collides with human immunity, it may evolve in ways that allow it to outwit the immune system.
Is it now reasonable to discuss the end of the pandemic? Yes, but with caveats.|Joel Achenbach|May 13, 2021|Washington Post
How has Jill Abramson managed to so far outwit her former boss, the New York Times publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr.?
How the NYT Mismanaged Jillghazi|Lloyd Grove|May 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Will a sage coach like John Calipari be able to outwit a relative newcomer in Kevin Ollie, he of a mere two seasons on the job?
Was Aaron Harrison’s Game-Winning Three-Pointer ‘Clutch’?|Robert Silverman|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Doris Lessing invented Jane Somers to outwit indifferent publishers.
The Real Story of "O"|Robert McCrum|January 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Here was a woman's revenge, to bait, to charm, to spurn; and then to outwit him!
The Secret Witness|George Gibbs
Peachum then intends to outwit me in this Affair; but Ill be even with him.
The Beggar's Opera|John Gay
Something must be done, and quickly, Tharn realized, were he to outwit those whose feet were even now pounding on the stairs.
Warrior of the Dawn|Howard Carleton Browne
The Princess saw that her only hope was to outwit the fox, and she immediately thought of a plan to gain her end.
Edmund Dulacs Fairy-Book|Edmund Dulac
I think they are going to attempt to take us by surprise, but by the aid of the Prophet we will outwit them.
The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 28, April 1893|Various

British Dictionary definitions for outwit

outwit

/ (ˌaʊtˈwɪt) /

verb -wits, -witting or -witted (tr)

to get the better of by cunning or ingenuity

archaic to be of greater intelligence than

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

outwit

OTHER WORDS FOR outwit

Origin of outwit

Words nearby outwit

Words related to outwit

How to use outwit in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for outwit