outpoint
/aut'pɔint/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To score more points than one's opponents: To achieve a higher point total than another competitor or team in a contest, game, or match.
- (Sailing) To sail closer to the wind than: In nautical terms, to sail at an angle more directly into the wind than another vessel, thereby gaining an advantageous position.
Usage and Examples
Verb (General Competition):
- The boxer managed to outpoint his opponent over ten rounds.
- Our team outpointed theirs in the final quiz, winning by a narrow margin.
Verb (Sailing):
- The skilled captain was able to outpoint the other yacht, gaining a crucial lead upwind.
- To win the race, we must outpoint them on this tack.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in contexts where victory is determined by points rather than a knockout or direct physical defeat, such as in boxing, debating, or some team sports.
- In sailing, "outpoint" is a technical term describing a specific tactical maneuver related to wind angle and boat positioning.
Variants and Related Words
- Outscore (verb): A near-synonym in competitive contexts, meaning to score more points than. (e.g., )
- Outmaneuver (verb): To gain an advantage through superior tactics, which relates to the sailing meaning.
Synonyms
- Outscore
- Defeat on points
- Beat (in a points-based context)
Antonyms
- Be outpointed
- Lose on points
- Trail
Notes
- The primary and most common usage is in sports and competitions. The sailing usage is specialized and less frequent in everyday language.
- The word is a combination of the prefix "out-" (meaning to do better or more than) and "point."
Verb
- score more points than one's opponents
- sail closer to the wind than