outwit

verb

out·​wit ˌau̇t-ˈwit 

outwitted; outwitting

transitive verb

1

: to get the better of by superior cleverness : outsmart

2

archaic : to surpass in wisdom

Synonyms

• fox
• outfox
• outmaneuver
• outslick
• outsmart
• outthink
• overreach

Examples of outwit in a Sentence

The fox managed to outwit the hunter by hiding in a tree.

They thought they had outwitted the new teacher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, souls gamble years of their lives with her, daring to outwit Death herself. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024

Forced back into combat, Billie Jean sets traps and executes precise strikes to outwit the attackers. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024

For a concrete example of how AI has intensified the cat-and-mouse game between human and artificial BS, and the capacity of both to outwit and fool each other, consider recruitment. —Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Planes were first introduced into combat service during World War I, and the pioneering pilots who manned them became masters of the air, deploying daredevil maneuvers to outwit the enemy. —Kinsey Gidick, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

outwit

verb

out·​wit au̇t-ˈwit 

outwitted; outwitting

: to get the better of by cleverness