Definition

1. 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

1. score more points than one's opponents
2. sail closer to the wind than