outwits
Beats through cunning
Outwits means defeats or gets the better of someone through cleverness rather than force.
The word implies a contest of minds where quick thinking or cunning prevails: The detective finally outwits the serial killer.
A smaller animal outwits a predator by using its environment; a negotiator outwits an opponent by anticipating their moves.
Mental quickness and skill
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
- slynessCunning in manner
- cunningSly, scheming cleverness
artifice · ruse · subterfuge · wiles · craftiness · deception · feint · misdirection
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- approachWay of handling something
counterplay · execution · adaptation · anticipation · calculation · positioning · chess · checkmate
Person of rare brilliance
- brainpowerIntellectual capacity
- acumenSharpness of mind
- intellectMental reasoning capacity
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
reasoning · smarts · savvy · quick-thinking · sharpness · mental agility · perception · foresight
One who competes against
- opponentOne who contends against
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- foeHostile opponent
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
antagonist · competitor · victor · underdog · David and Goliath · upset · defeat · triumph
Something blocking the way
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- conundrumPerplexing problem or question
trap · snare · catch-22 · adversity · impossible odds · narrow escape · close call · evasion
cleverness
Mental quickness and skill
cunning · artifice · ruse · subterfuge · wiles · craftiness · deception · feint · misdirection · bluff
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
approach · counterplay · execution · adaptation · anticipation · calculation · positioning · chess · checkmate · gambit
genius
Person of rare brilliance
- brainpowerIntellectual capacity
- acumenSharpness of mind
- intellectMental reasoning capacity
insight · reasoning · smarts · savvy · quick-thinking · sharpness · mental agility · perception · foresight · ingenuity
rival
One who competes against
nemesis · antagonist · competitor · victor · underdog · David and Goliath · upset · defeat · triumph · besting
obstacle
Something blocking the way
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
conundrum · trap · snare · catch-22 · adversity · impossible odds · narrow escape · close call · evasion · workaround
outwitsoverpowers
Defeats through greater strength
outmuscles · brute-forces · strong-arms · bulldozes · manhandles