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Definition of outsmart

outsmart

/ˌaʊtˈsmɑːrt/
out · smart
Past Simple:outsmarted
•
Past Participle:outsmarted
•
Present Participle:outsmarting
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outsmart Lexical Profile

outsmart Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To defeat or gain an advantage over someone by being more clever, strategic, or cunning.

Example

"The experienced chess player managed to outsmart her opponent in just twenty moves."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for outsmart

• Rhymes for outsmart

• Nearby Words

outskate
outskirt
outskirts
outsmart
outsource
outsourcer
outsourcing

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 20th century in American English, formed by combining the prefix out- (meaning 'surpassing') with the adjective smart (in the sense of 'clever' or 'shrewd').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Outsmart. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/outsmart
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