outsmarted
Won by cunning
Outsmarted is the past tense of outsmart—to defeat someone by being cleverer than they are.
The word implies winning through superior thinking rather than force or luck: She outsmarted the con artist at his own game.
Being outsmarted often carries a sting of humiliation, suggesting you were bested by someone who saw further ahead than you did.
Defeated through better play
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
ploy · ruse · stratagem · feint · trap · ambush · flanked · blindsided
Defeated through superior tactics
- bestedOvercame in a contest
- defeatedOvercome in contest
- triumphedAchieved decisive victory
- prevailedProved stronger ultimately
conquered · vanquished · outdone · surpassed · eclipsed · routed · overcome · checkmated
Defeated by superior thinking
- slyCleverly deceptive
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
- craftyCleverly deceptive
wily · devious · scheming · guileful · artful · foxy · calculating · canny
Mentally rapid, resourceful
- cleverShowing mental quickness
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- resourcefulSkilled at solving problems
quicker · savvier · keener · brighter · sharper · intellectual · mental agility · one step ahead
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
- shockedDeeply startled or appalled
stunned · bamboozled · flabbergasted · duped · fooled · hoodwinked · tricked · deceived
outplayed
Defeated through better play
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
gambit · ploy · ruse · stratagem · feint · trap · ambush · flanked · blindsided · calculated
outmaneuvered
Defeated through superior tactics
prevailed · conquered · vanquished · outdone · surpassed · eclipsed · routed · overcome · checkmated · upstaged
outwitted
Defeated by superior thinking
crafty · wily · devious · scheming · guileful · artful · foxy · calculating · canny · manipulative
quick-thinking
Mentally rapid, resourceful
resourceful · quicker · savvier · keener · brighter · sharper · intellectual · mental agility · one step ahead
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- blindsidedSurprised by unforeseen impact
shocked · stunned · bamboozled · flabbergasted · duped · fooled · hoodwinked · tricked · deceived · snookered
outsmartedoutwitted
Defeated by superior thinking
outmaneuvered · outfoxed · tricked · fooled · deceived
outsmartedoverpowered
Excessively dominant or conquered
outmuscled · brute-forced · strong-armed · manhandled · subdued