outwit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'outwit' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean 'to defeat or get the better of (someone) by being more clever or skillful.' For example: Sarah was able to outwit her opponents in the game of chess.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Targaryen manages to repeatedly outmanoeuvre and outwit scheming men who dominate the world of Game of Thrones and dismiss the idea that a woman might have the wherewithal to establish an empire.

The Guardian

Her posthumous fate, suggests Reid (who has no religious faith), seemed preferable to heaven or hell: My wife is in there, somewhere, doing practical work: her organs and tissues are educating young doctors or helping researchers outwit the disease that outwitted her.

The Guardian - Books

Recognising the difficulty, the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls spent the weekend seeking to outwit the Government by proposing that every adult aged over 25 and out of work for more than two years should be obliged to take up a government-provided job for six months, or lose their benefits.

The Guardian

It tells the story of lovable rogue Fletch (Ronnie Barker) – "an habitual criminal who accepts arrest as an occupational hazard" – and his attempts to serve his five-year sentence, keep his nose clean ish) and outwit the system at HMP Slade.

The Guardian

It was because, for their own political reasons and to outwit the censor, they talked about reality, but in slightly fantasised and disguised terms.

The Guardian

He challenged his teams to outwit and outmanoeuvre their opponents; more often than not they succeeded.

The Guardian - Sport

To fight the power today you need a laptop, not Che's gun, and the skills and intelligence to outwit a vast surveillance state.

The Guardian

These events reveal a pattern, and suggests that North Korea has developed a tried-and-tested formula to outwit western powers for over 25 years.

The Guardian

Even if you decide not to adapt your schedule to your children's new needs, they will outwit you with their handheld tablets and their relentless CGI bloodlust.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Without its wily mastermind, Poland's opposition in the 1980s would have found it far harder to outwit its oppressors.

The Economist

Then the allied advance began, and it continued until nightfall, with Prussian cavalrymen lancing French soldiers in the back as they retreated.Did Wellington outwit Napoleon,as well as winning the battle?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outwit" when you want to emphasize the cleverness or intelligence used to overcome a challenge or opponent. It implies a strategic and thoughtful approach to achieving success.

Common error

Avoid using "outwit" to simply describe physical dominance. It is more appropriate when describing situations where mental acuity or strategic thinking are key to success.

Linguistic Context

The verb "outwit" primarily functions to describe the act of surpassing someone or something through cleverness, intelligence, or strategic thinking. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to describe overcoming challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "outwit" is a versatile verb used to describe surpassing someone through intelligence and cunning. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used. It frequently appears in news, media and encyclopedia entries. To emphasize the cleverness used to overcome a challenge, make use of the word "outwit". Remember that it applies best to mental victories, not brute force. Alternatives like "outsmart", "outmaneuver", and "outfox" offer subtle nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outsmart

Replaces "wit" with "smart", emphasizing intelligence.

outplay

Emphasizes skill and strategy to win.

outfox

Implies cunning and trickery in surpassing someone.

outmaneuver

Focuses on skillful maneuvering to gain an advantage.

defeat through cunning

Explicitly states the method of defeat as being cunning.

triumph over through intellect

Highlights the use of intelligence as the key to victory.

get the better of

A more general phrase indicating success over someone.

maneuver around

Suggests circumventing an obstacle or opponent through skill.

gain an advantage over

Highlights gaining a beneficial position over an opponent.

gain the upper hand

Focuses on achieving a dominant position.

FAQs

How to use "outwit" in a sentence?

You can use "outwit" to describe someone cleverly overcoming a challenge or opponent, for example: "The detective managed to outwit the criminal with a clever trap".

What can I say instead of "outwit"?

You can use alternatives like "outsmart", "outmaneuver", or "outfox" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "outwit" or "out whits"?

"Outwit" is the correct spelling and usage. "Out whits" is not a recognized phrase.

What's the difference between "outwit" and "outsmart"?

While both imply surpassing someone through intelligence, "outwit" suggests a more cunning or strategic approach, while "outsmart" focuses on general intelligence and cleverness.