English Dictionary |
OUTSMART
Pronunciation (US): | ![]() | (GB): | ![]() |
IPA (US): | ![]() |
Dictionary entry overview: What does outsmart mean?
• OUTSMART (verb)
The verb OUTSMART has 2 senses:
1. beat through cleverness and wit
2. defeat by more skillful maneuvering
Familiarity information: OUTSMART used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Conjugation: |
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Past simple: outsmarted
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![Listen to GB pronunciation](/lib/sound3.png)
Past participle: outsmarted
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-ing form: outsmarting
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![Listen to GB pronunciation](/lib/sound3.png)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Beat through cleverness and wit
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Synonyms:
beat; circumvent; outfox; outsmart; outwit; overreach
Context example:
She outfoxed her competitors
Hypernyms (to "outsmart" is one way to...):
exceed; outdo; outgo; outmatch; outperform; outstrip; surmount; surpass (be or do something to a greater degree)
Verb group:
beat; beat out; crush; shell; trounce; vanquish (come out better in a competition, race, or conflict)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence example:
Sam cannot outsmart Sue
Sense 2
Meaning:
Defeat by more skillful maneuvering
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Synonyms:
outmaneuver; outmanoeuvre; outsmart
Context example:
My new supervisor knows how to outmaneuver the boss in most situations
Hypernyms (to "outsmart" is one way to...):
best; outdo; outflank; scoop; trump (get the better of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "outsmart"):
outgeneral (surpass in generalship)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence example:
The fighter managed to outsmart his opponent
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