outthinking
Beating someone intellectually
Outthinking is the act of surpassing someone in thinking—being cleverer, anticipating their moves, or finding solutions they miss.
It implies a contest of minds: She kept outthinking her opponents at chess.
You can outthink a rival, a problem, or a system designed to constrain you.
Arranging for future events
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- gameplanPredetermined course of action
maneuvering · preparation · calculation · positioning · chess · forethought · contingency · proactive
Defeating through superior intelligence
- outwittingDefeating by cleverness
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
- cannyShrewdly practical and cautious
sly · crafty · calculating · scheming · guile · deceptive · cunning · clever
Drawing logical conclusions
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
problem-solving · cognition · brainpower · acuity · sharpness · insight · perception · discernment
Defeating through superior tactics
- outplayingExceeding another's performance
- defeatingOvercoming in competition
- checkmateInescapable capture position
- countermoveResponding strategic action
opponent · adversary · rivalry · victory · triumph · dominance · superiority · edge
Producing original ideas
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- novelNew and unusual
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
- inventiveShowing original thought
original · unorthodox · reframing · reimagining · breakthrough · resourceful · improvising · adapting
planning
Arranging for future events
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- analysisMethodical study of parts
gameplan · maneuvering · preparation · calculation · positioning · chess · forethought · contingency · proactive · preemptive
outsmarting
Defeating through superior intelligence
- outwittingDefeating by cleverness
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
canny · sly · crafty · calculating · scheming · guile · deceptive · cunning · clever · wily
reasoning
Drawing logical conclusions
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
analysis · problem-solving · cognition · brainpower · acuity · sharpness · insight · perception · discernment · comprehension
outmaneuvering
Defeating through superior tactics
- outplayingExceeding another's performance
- defeatingOvercoming in competition
- checkmateInescapable capture position
countermove · opponent · adversary · rivalry · victory · triumph · dominance · superiority · edge · winning
creative
Producing original ideas
- unconventionalDeparting from standard practice
- novelNew and unusual
- ingeniousCleverly original in design
inventive · original · unorthodox · reframing · reimagining · breakthrough · resourceful · improvising · adapting · pivoting
- staying aheadlead, edge, head start, advantage, frontrunner
outthinkingoverpowering
Too intense to withstand
brute force · strong-arming · bulldozing · overwhelming · bludgeoning
outthinkingwinging it
Proceeding without preparation
plowing ahead · not thinking · mindlessness · thoughtlessness
think, thought, thinking, thinker, thinks, rethink, unthinkable, thoughtfulness, overthink