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Outwit: meaning, definitions and examples

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outwit

 

[ aʊtˈwɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

in a competition

To outsmart or outthink someone, especially in a competition or game.

Synonyms

outmaneuver, outsmart, outthink

Examples of usage

  • He managed to outwit his opponents and win the chess tournament.
  • She used her intelligence to outwit the other contestants in the quiz show.
Context #2 | Verb

in a tricky situation

To cleverly deceive or outmaneuver someone, especially in a tricky situation.

Synonyms

outfox, outmaneuver, outsmart

Examples of usage

  • She was able to outwit the security guards and escape from the building.
  • The thief outwitted the police by disguising himself as a janitor.

Translations

Translations of the word "outwit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganar

🇮🇳 धोखा देना

🇩🇪 überlisten

🇮🇩 mengakali

🇺🇦 перехитрити

🇵🇱 przechytrzyć

🇯🇵 出し抜く (dashinuku)

🇫🇷 déjouer

🇪🇸 burlar

🇹🇷 kandırmak

🇰🇷 속이다 (sok-ida)

🇸🇦 يخدع (yakhda')

🇨🇿 přelstít

🇸🇰 prekabátiť

🇨🇳 骗过 (piàn guò)

🇸🇮 pretentati

🇮🇸 sníða

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 გადამწყვეტი

🇦🇿 aldatmaq

🇲🇽 burlar

Etymology

The word 'outwit' originated in the mid-16th century, combining 'out' and 'wit'. It refers to the act of using one's intelligence or cleverness to surpass or deceive others in a competitive or tricky situation.

See also: unwittingly, wit, witness, witticism, wittily, wittiness, witty.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,176, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.