as in to outwit
to get the better of through cleverness an inexpensive security system that would likely be outsmarted by anyone with a serious interest in circumventing it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Examples 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 outsmart Sisyphus had tried to outsmart the Greeks’ rules of the game, and he was punished for his hubris. Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2024 What follows is a tense series of events as Ethan tries (and often fails) to outsmart the Traveler and prevent a terrible tragedy, all without getting his girlfriend and unborn baby killed. Erik Kain, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 So, enjoy the festivities, cherish the moments with loved ones, and keep these tips in mind to outsmart the scammers. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2024 Sunday outsmarted Adam and Hannah with a ruse at Tribal Council. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for outsmart 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outsmart
Verb
  • The Netflix series follows three families who will do just about anything to outbid — or outwit — the competition when their dream home finally goes on the market.
    Brande Victorian, Essence, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Orgeron coaches the game shirtless and outwits Kalen DeBoer, who ditched his T-shirt for a hoodie on a chilly night in Tuscaloosa.
    Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Some have speculated that since Trump survived two assassination attempts against him, the changes could be to thwart further security threats.
    Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Jan. 2025
  • After opening the game disjointed and unfocused, the Trojans chipped away at a double-digit deficit and got close before their rally was ultimately thwarted.
    Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 18 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
  • United defeated Southampton 3-1 on Thursday night thanks to Amad’s late hat-trick to move Amorim’s side up to 12th in the Premier League, but the visitors — who are 10 points from safety — caused them plenty of problems.
    Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • But the white population usually defeats the preferred candidate of Black voters.
    Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Lunar Owls overcame a six-point deficit and ended up winning the league’s first game 84-80 after Diggins-Smith hit a game-ending 3-pointer.
    Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • From Klay Thompson to Shaun Livingston to Ball, the NBA has been filled with stories of players overcoming tremendous physical and personal adversity to return to the court.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Situated in one of the game's smallest media markets, the Padres under General Manager A.J. Preller have spent lavishly and made a series of splashy acquisitions, but keep getting outfoxed by their upstate rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
    David Faris, theweek, 5 Sep. 2024
  • Here, Shyamalan has similar intentions: His movie would be nothing without Hartnett’s serial killer outfoxing his pursuers, slipping past one security barrier after another, stealing access badges willy-nilly and engineering his daughter’s onstage appearance with her idol.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2024
Verb
  • The attackers disguise themselves as fake Google Ads login pages to fool advertisers, who are then phished for their account credentials.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • However, others have questioned how she was so easily fooled.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Perhaps the shape rotators are convinced that computers can outthink us because their own minds are so impoverished.
    Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 26 June 2024
  • In a blog post, Google CEO Sundar Pichai predicted the technology underlying Gemini Advanced will be able to outthink even the smartest people when tackling many complex topics.
    Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near outsmart

Cite this Entry

“Outsmart.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outsmart. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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