as in to outwit
to get the better of through cleverness
the prisoners outfoxed the guards by tunneling beneath the prison walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of outfox
The playful, abstract compositions of Ore-Giron, meanwhile, are constantly outfoxing an impulse to settle into symmetry.
—
Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024
Their groundbreaking tactics enabled CIA officers to outfox the KGB in Moscow.
—Dawn Klavon, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024
China has also added more road- and rail-mobile missile launchers to try to outfox American satellites and other detection technology.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024
Can’t outfox the foxes Parrots and corvids have reputations as the brainiacs of the bird world.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for outfox 
Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024
Their groundbreaking tactics enabled CIA officers to outfox the KGB in Moscow.
—Dawn Klavon, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024
China has also added more road- and rail-mobile missile launchers to try to outfox American satellites and other detection technology.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024
Can’t outfox the foxes Parrots and corvids have reputations as the brainiacs of the bird world.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for outfox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outfox
Verb
-
Some 1,600 years ago, perhaps soldiers on the easternmost edge of the empire shuffled the slim bone tokens across a board, attempting to outwit their opponents.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Here, souls gamble years of their lives with her, daring to outwit Death herself.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Much of Hinton’s worry stems from the belief that humanity knew frighteningly little about artificial intelligence—and that machines may outsmart humans.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2024
-
Noted for being intelligent enough to even outsmart their owners, the American Kennel Club states the breed is related to Australia's native wild dog, the Dingo.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Their elaborate plan to murder Campbell’s Sidney Prescott and frame her father for their killing spree is thwarted, however, when Sidney drops a TV on Stu, seemingly killing him, and shoots Billy in the head.—
John Russell,
People.com,
31 Jan. 2025
-
For example, will NIH medical trials aimed at detecting and thwarting the next pandemic or providing cures for cancer be defunded?—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Some even provide fake documents to help scammers deceive others.—
Ryan Nawrocki,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Jan. 2025
-
On the other hand, disinformation is misleading or false information shared with the intent to deceive.—
Jill Hopke,
The Conversation,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
However, opponent Kirsty-Lee Davies defeated Haynes to ensure the championship went to a biological female.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
29 Jan. 2025
-
What To Know Democrat Mike Zimmer has defeated Republican Kate Whittington in the special election for Senate District 35, which covers portions of Jackson, Clinton and Scott counties.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Making the playoffs and maybe even surprising in them would be Miami’s greatest statement of resolve and flex of Heat Culture — to have overcome the capital-D distraction and drama that might have detonated this season.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
-
The Chiefs couldn’t overcome losses to tight end Travis Kelce, who left the game at the end of the second quarter with a concussion, and defensive lineman Chris Jones, who left the game on the first drive of the third quarter with a knee injury.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The speech also tackled an issue that has foxed previous governments: reforming the House of Lords.—
Jill Lawless,
The Christian Science Monitor,
17 July 2024
-
Raccoon: Raccoon is very similar to fox but rarely comes in any other colors besides that of a typical raccoon which is naturally ombré.—
Liana Satenstein,
Marie Claire,
13 Feb. 2014
Articles Related to outfox
Thesaurus Entries Near outfox
Cite this Entry
“Outfox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outfox. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share