Word
outsmart
Phoneticsout·smart, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtsˌmɑɹt/
UK/aʊtsmˈɑːt/
Definition
v. to beat someone by thinking in a smarter or cleverer way. You use it when good planning helps you win.
v. to defeat or gain an advantage over someone through superior intelligence, planning, or cunning.
Examples
“She outsmarts her brother in every board game.”
“The small startup outsmarted larger rivals by offering simple prices and faster delivery.”
“By anticipating the committee's objections and preparing detailed answers, she outsmarted critics who expected her proposal to fail.”
Examples
simple
“She outsmarts her brother in every board game.”
contextual
“The small startup outsmarted larger rivals by offering simple prices and faster delivery.”
complex
“By anticipating the committee's objections and preparing detailed answers, she outsmarted critics who expected her proposal to fail.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “outsmart” in context.
Verb
01. manage to outsmart
“She managed to outsmart her opponent with careful planning.”
verb + to + verb
02. outsmart enemy
“The hero outsmarted the enemy by setting a clever trap.”
verb + noun
03. outsmart opponent
“Good players outsmart opponents by planning two moves ahead.”
verb + noun
04. outsmart rival
“He outsmarted his rival by saving energy for the final lap.”
verb + noun
05. outsmart system
“Hackers tried to outsmart the system with stolen passwords.”
verb + noun
06. try to outsmart
“They tried to outsmart the security team with fake IDs.”
verb + to + verb
Adjective
07. cleverly outsmart
“She cleverly outsmarted the guards by switching uniforms.”
adv + verb
08. successfully outsmart
“He successfully outsmarted his rival in the final chess match.”
adv + verb
Noun
09. scheme to outsmart
“They devised a scheme to outsmart the guards at night.”
noun + to + verb
10. clever plan to outsmart rivals
“She devised a clever plan to outsmart rivals in the debate.”
11. manage to outsmart opponents
“Our team managed to outsmart opponents with a surprise tactic.”
12. outsmart the competition
“Small firms can outsmart the competition with better customer service.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Etymology
From out- + smart.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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