outsmart
Beat through cleverness
To outsmart someone is to defeat them through cleverness rather than force—finding a way around their defenses or anticipating their moves: She outsmarted the security system.
The word implies a contest of wits where cunning beats strength or resources: The smaller company outsmarted its competitors by targeting niche markets.
Defeat through superior tactics
- outthinkDefeat through superior reasoning
- outplayDefeat through superior performance
- outfoxDefeat by cleverness
- strategizeDevise a plan
anticipate · counter · feint · gambit · ploy · ruse · maneuver · flank
Deliberate deception
bamboozle · hoodwink · bluff · mislead · swindle · hustle · scam · hoax
Defeating an opponent
- successFavorable outcome attained
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- winAchieve victory
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
prevail · overcome · master · outshine · overshadow · upstage · trounce · humiliate
Clever, inventive humor
- ingenuityClever, original thinking
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- shrewdnessKeen practical judgment
- craftinessShrewd, devious cleverness
astuteness · savvy · resourcefulness · wiles · sharp · canny · sly · foxy
outmaneuver
Defeat through superior tactics
- outthinkDefeat through superior reasoning
- outplayDefeat through superior performance
- outfoxDefeat by cleverness
strategize · anticipate · counter · feint · gambit · ploy · ruse · maneuver · flank · blindside
trick
Deliberate deception
con · bamboozle · hoodwink · bluff · mislead · swindle · hustle · scam · hoax · subterfuge
victory
Defeating an opponent
dominance · prevail · overcome · master · outshine · overshadow · upstage · trounce · humiliate · embarrass
wit
Clever, inventive humor
- ingenuityClever, original thinking
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
- shrewdnessKeen practical judgment
craftiness · astuteness · savvy · resourcefulness · wiles · sharp · canny · sly · foxy · calculating
rival
One who competes against
upset · edge · advantage · one-upmanship · outclass · outperform · best · defeat · beat · triumph
- competition verbscompete, rival, contend, challenge, oppose
- cunning tacticscunning, guile, ruse, ploy, stratagem
- dominateovercome, surpass, subdue, prevail, conquer
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
outsmartoverpower
Defeat by superior force
outmuscle · outfight · brute-force · strong-arm · bludgeon