as in to outwit
to get the better of through cleverness the prisoners outfoxed the guards by tunneling beneath the prison walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of outfox Los Angeles had already outfoxed the 49ers in 2021 by trading for Matthew Stafford, who was also on Shanahan’s radar. —
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 2 Oct. 2025 No doubt remained that I’d been outfoxed. —Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025 The target, thinking himself clever, buys and introduces the cards into the game, unwittingly outfoxed. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 The most challenging part of a campaign for Crimea may not be outfoxing Russia. —Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for outfox
Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 2 Oct. 2025 No doubt remained that I’d been outfoxed. —Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025 The target, thinking himself clever, buys and introduces the cards into the game, unwittingly outfoxed. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025 The most challenging part of a campaign for Crimea may not be outfoxing Russia. —Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2023 See All Example Sentences for outfox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outfox
Verb
-
Bob Markle was good at outwitting violators.— Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
-
The Rams, seeded 11th, caused an average of 22 turnovers per game with its full-court trapping defense and outwitted everyone in their run from First Four to Final Four.— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
What once felt like a clever way to outsmart corporate firewalls or download a free video game had evolved into something far more serious.— Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
-
The struggle resonated with parents on Reddit, many of whom admitted they have been outsmarted by their own baby gear.— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Krüger trained Filou to test out a working theory that seals use their whiskers to outmaneuver fish trying to escape them.— Ari Daniel, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
-
These officers can outrun you, outmaneuver you through dense downtown traffic and scout out any funny business in large crowds.— Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The draconian rule of law under Pinochet also thwarted the young director’s cinematic ambitions.— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
-
During clutch time over multiple possessions, Jokic was thwarted.— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Swalwell apparently did an excellent job deceiving those around him, including some congressional and campaign staffers who’d known him for years and worked closely with the seven-term lawmaker, day in, day out.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets have a responsibility to protect their players by not throwing them under the bus, but there are ways to do that without trying to convince people that their eyes are deceiving them.— Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Caroline Spadorcia went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI as Archbishop Williams (4-3) defeated Latin Academy, 6-3.— Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
-
Hamadeh was elected to a reliably red West Valley district in 2024 after being defeated by Mayes in 2022.— Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Braves couldn’t overcome a poor start from Reynaldo López and saw their six-game winning streak fall by the wayside in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 22 Apr. 2026
-
That power production has overcome incredibly poor luck so far this season.— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That will require out-foxing Patriots defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr, whose pressure game plans suffocated the Chargers and Texans the past two weeks.— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
-
Having a robotic bear, rabbit, chicken or fox the size of a refrigerator coming after you in the dark was truly terrifying.— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Outfox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/outfox. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
