verb
outsmart
owt-SMAHT
Outsmart (verb) means to defeat someone by being cleverer or more cunning. Example: “The prey managed to outsmart the predator and escape.”
verb
1
To defeat someone by being cleverer or more cunning.
"The prey managed to outsmart the predator and escape."
"She outsmarted her opponent with a clever final move."
How to use outsmart
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo beat someone using cleverness rather than force.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
outsmart an opponent
try to outsmart
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- outsmarts
- Past tense
- outsmarted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The prey managed to _____ the predator and escape.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “outsmart” mean?
The word “outsmart” means to defeat someone by being cleverer or more cunning. In plain terms, to beat someone using cleverness rather than force.
How do you pronounce “outsmart”?
“Outsmart” is pronounced owt-SMAHT (/aʊtˈsmɑː(ɹ)t/ in IPA).
How do you use “outsmart” in a sentence?
Here is “outsmart” used in a sentence: “The prey managed to outsmart the predator and escape.”
What part of speech is “outsmart”?
“Outsmart” is a verb.
