outsmarting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outsmarting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of being more clever or skillful than someone else, often in a competitive context. Example: "She enjoyed outsmarting her opponents in the chess tournament, using strategies they had never seen before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Outsmarting his rivals, he transformed the UDF from a gaggle of 15 groups into a single party.

The Economist

The weaker among them, meaning those that get work referred from other offices, count on the strong to carry them along to a new firm.In this section Big, bigger, biggest Going, going Down wonder Outsmarting their city cousins Big-shot Botin Sovereign bankruptcies ReprintsIn America, matters get even worse for Andersen.

The Economist

Outsmarting the CERNageddon (Nautilus).

The Economist

When we met at her publisher's headquarters near King's Cross station, she was sitting beside an enormous pile of her most recent book, What the Ladybird Heard Next, a sequel to the bestselling What the Ladybird Heard, two works for very young readers with illustrations by Lydia Monks; both involve a barnyard of animals outsmarting a brace of robbers (who end up covered in, frankly, cowshit).

Independent

Outsmarting a Hedge Fund, Canadian Style  |  It seemed like a clever trade when the American hedge fund Mason Capital Management bet against a proposed share conversion by the Telus Corporation, a Canadian telecommunications company, the Deal Professor writes.

The New York Times

The thrill comes from outsmarting the bass and finally experiencing that adrenaline-pumping moment when the striper hits your lure — "It's like an explosion!" Mr. Fellini said — and you pull in your trophy fish, the one that gets your photograph published in the fishing magazines and on Web sites.

The New York Times - Arts

He said he used to worry about outsmarting the audience, but does not anymore, because MSNBC has moved from being "all things to all people" to being "a much more specific channel".

The New York Times

After decades of development, an increasingly nimble, well-informed society is outsmarting the one-party state.

The New York Times

His book on the subject, "Outsmarting the Scam Artists," was published last month.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Shakespeare's Portia, one of the few people who can outsmart others without outsmarting herself.

The New York Times - Books

Morgan must have pulled himself out of it somehow because when he re-emerges he's a zombie-slaying, Wolves-outsmarting ninja.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outsmarting" to describe situations where intelligence or cunning is used to gain an advantage over someone or something. It's particularly effective when highlighting a strategic or clever approach to overcoming a challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "outsmarting" in very casual conversations or informal writing where simpler terms like "tricking" or "fooling" might be more appropriate. While "outsmarting" isn't inherently formal, it can sound slightly out of place in highly relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outsmarting" is a verb in its present participle or gerund form. It often acts as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is outsmarting") or as a noun (gerund) describing the act of surpassing someone through intelligence, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Film

17%

Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outsmarting" is a versatile term that effectively conveys the act of gaining an advantage through intelligence or strategic thinking. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media contexts. While it's generally appropriate for formal writing, avoid overusing it in extremely casual situations. Consider synonyms like "outwitting" or "outmaneuvering" for slight variations in meaning. Remember, "outsmarting" is about cleverness within the rules, not dishonesty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outwitting

Focuses on defeating someone through cunning and trickery.

outmaneuvering

Highlights the use of strategic movement to gain an advantage.

outfoxing

Emphasizes the use of cleverness and deception, like a fox.

beating

A more general term for winning or surpassing, not necessarily through intelligence.

trumping

Implies surpassing or exceeding, often in a decisive way.

getting the better of

Suggests gaining an advantage over someone, usually in a contest or competition.

outdoing

Focuses on surpassing someone in performance or achievement.

besting

A more formal term for defeating or surpassing.

outclassing

Suggests surpassing someone in skill or quality.

outperforming

Focuses on exceeding someone's performance in a specific task or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "outsmarting" in a sentence?

"Outsmarting" is used to describe the act of surpassing someone or something through cleverness or intelligence. For example, "The team succeeded by "outsmarting their rivals" with innovative strategies".

What are some synonyms for "outsmarting"?

Alternatives to "outsmarting" include "outwitting", "outmaneuvering", and "outfoxing". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "outsmarting" and "cheating"?

"Outsmarting" implies using intelligence and strategy within the rules, while "cheating" involves breaking the rules to gain an unfair advantage. "Outsmarting" is about being clever; cheating is about being dishonest.

Is "outsmarting" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "outsmarting" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing strategic advantages or clever solutions. It conveys a sense of intelligence and skillful maneuvering.