as in to outsmart
to get the better of through cleverness
a plan to outwit their opponents at their own game
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Recent Examples of outwit
But like any virus, RSV has the ability to mutate, so at least one question remained: Could the virus eventually outwit nirsevimab?
—
Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
Jake Latimer, a contestant on the upcoming season of 'Survivor,' missed his baby's birth while on the island
Survivor players have to outwit, outplay and outlast to win the title of Sole Survivor — but on this season, one player may have sacrificed the most before the game even started.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Wednesday thinks she’s outwitted her opponents, but her plan to have Thing ready at the crossbow to take out Isaac-Slurp is thwarted when — dun dun DUNNNN!
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Ben Shapiro, Pete Buttigieg, Michael Knowles, Alex O’Connor—these are professional debaters capable of outwitting and outreasoning almost any audience member unfamiliar with traditional debate techniques, regardless of the topic or claim being considered.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outwit
Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
Jake Latimer, a contestant on the upcoming season of 'Survivor,' missed his baby's birth while on the island
Survivor players have to outwit, outplay and outlast to win the title of Sole Survivor — but on this season, one player may have sacrificed the most before the game even started.
—Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Wednesday thinks she’s outwitted her opponents, but her plan to have Thing ready at the crossbow to take out Isaac-Slurp is thwarted when — dun dun DUNNNN!
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Ben Shapiro, Pete Buttigieg, Michael Knowles, Alex O’Connor—these are professional debaters capable of outwitting and outreasoning almost any audience member unfamiliar with traditional debate techniques, regardless of the topic or claim being considered.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outwit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outwit
Verb
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Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry team up to outsmart Mark Ruffalo in a new trailer for their heist movie Crime 101.—
Katherine Schaffstall,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
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Marty Muggle-Wump is part of the clever monkey duo determined to outsmart their vile captors, perfectly voiced by Timothy Simons.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Through the streets of World War I Paris, the bohemian artist attempts to outmaneuver bombs, policemen, girlfriends, and critics in an increasingly desperate search of a home for his art.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
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Alongside her estranged husband Ryan, the devout Moses (Hill), and new allies Samson (Feliz) and Delilah (Obsidian), Virginia must outmaneuver billionaire cult leader Luther Bell, played with magnetic menace by Esposito.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Governor Kathy Hochul, whose own term has been defined by attempts to override local municipalities that thwart housing development and density, also supports the plan.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
24 Oct. 2025
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Federico Gatti was also excellent in thwarting Madrid’s attacks.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In fact, the term itself was an epithet throughout the founding era, a way to describe ignorant and easily deceived popular majorities, perpetually vulnerable to demagogues.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Of course someone like Denji would fall for it, and in a way, the desire to be deceived is actually an important aspect of romantic feelings.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Glo clearly brought good luck to the game, seeing as the Raptors defeated the Hawks 138-118.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
24 Oct. 2025
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In these sparsely populated spaces, the mountain always defeats the human, instilling a deep respect for the environment.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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How Tielemans overcame early toils is often used as a source of encouragement by new additions who seem peripheral at first.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Her mission is to be an example of overcoming adversity, reminding the world that true success comes from working with love, respect, and shining without dimming the light of others.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Los Angeles had already outfoxed the 49ers in 2021 by trading for Matthew Stafford, who was also on Shanahan’s radar.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
2 Oct. 2025
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He was outfoxed, outplayed and frustrated by the calm version of Daniil Medvedev in 2023, and lost in straight sets to Botic van De Zandschulp in the second round last year.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And don’t be fooled by spotless sheets.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
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The fastball-splitter combo was working well for him again, while his 74 mph curveball was fooling hitters all night as well.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outwit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outwit. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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