Outsmarted: meaning, definitions and examples

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outsmarted

 

[ aʊtˈsmɑːrtɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

cognitive superiority

Outsmarted means to have been outwitted or outmaneuvered by someone in a situation where intelligence or cleverness is a key factor. It typically implies that one person was able to use their mental agility to gain an advantage over another. This word is often used in contexts where strategies or cunning are employed to achieve a goal that may benefit the outsmarting individual. The term connotes a sense of superiority in intelligence, often used in competitive scenarios.

Synonyms

one-up, outmaneuver, outsmart, outthink, outwit

Examples of usage

  • She outsmarted her opponents in the game.
  • He thought he was clever, but she had outsmarted him.
  • The detective outsmarted the criminal with a clever ruse.
  • They believed they could fool her, but she ultimately outsmarted them.

Translations

Translations of the word "outsmarted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superado

🇮🇳 चतुराई से हराना

🇩🇪 überlistet

🇮🇩 menang akal

🇺🇦 перехитрив

🇵🇱 przechytrzony

🇯🇵 出し抜かれた

🇫🇷 dépasse

🇪🇸 superado

🇹🇷 alt etmek

🇰🇷 능가한

🇸🇦 تجاوز

🇨🇿 překonán

🇸🇰 prekonaný

🇨🇳 被超越

🇸🇮 premagan

🇮🇸 sigrast

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 გადაცდა

🇦🇿 üstün gəldi

🇲🇽 superado

Word origin

The word 'outsmart' is a compound verb formed from the prefix 'out-' and the word 'smart'. The prefix 'out-' suggests surpassing or exceeding, while 'smart' originally derived from Old English 'smeortan', meaning 'to sting' and evolved into the contemporary meaning of showing mental acuity or intelligence. The combination implies using one's intellect to surpass another's abilities. The term has been in use since the 19th century and has grown in common vernacular, often appearing in literature, games, and discussions where cunning tactics or strategies are being employed. It's indicative of the competitive nature of human interactions where intelligence can lead to victory in various contexts, whether in sports, business, or personal relationships.