Definition

1. Verb:
   • To defeat, gain an advantage over, or achieve a goal by using superior intelligence, cleverness, or cunning strategy. It implies being more shrewd or crafty than an opponent in a specific situation.

Usage

The verb "outsmart" is transitive and requires a direct object (the person or entity being outsmarted). It is often used in contexts involving competition, conflict, or trickery. The past tense and past participle are "outsmarted."

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • The small, agile startup managed to outsmart the industry giant with its innovative marketing strategy.
  • In the chess match, she outsmarted her opponent by setting up a clever trap.
  • The detective outsmarted the criminal by anticipating his next move.

Advanced Usage

• Reflexive Use ("to outsmart oneself"): To fail or create a problem for oneself by being too clever or overthinking a situation.
  • He tried to set a complex trap but ended up outsmarting himself; his plan backfired completely.

Variants and Related Words

• Outfox (verb): A close synonym, meaning to outwit or trick through cunning, like a fox.
• Outmaneuver (verb): To gain an advantage through superior movement or tactical planning, often in a physical or strategic context.
• Outwit (verb): To defeat or get the better of someone by using greater intelligence or cleverness. This is a very close synonym to "outsmart."

Synonyms

• Outwit
• Outfox
• Outthink
• Outplay (in contexts of strategy)
• Trick
• Deceive (though this has a stronger connotation of dishonesty)

Related Phrasal Verbs/Idioms

Note: "Outsmart" itself is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. It is a single, compound verb. - To be too clever by half: An idiom describing someone whose cleverness leads to their own downfall, similar to "outsmarting oneself." - His scheme to avoid taxes was too clever by half; now he's facing a huge fine.

Verb

1. defeat by more skillful maneuvering
   • The English troops outmaneuvered the Germans
   • My new supervisor knows how to outmaneuver the boss in most situations
2. beat through cleverness and wit
   • I beat the traffic
   • She outfoxed her competitors