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to outplay

to outplay

14 4.2
Do better than and beat an opponent in a game
  • verb
  • /aʊtˈpleɪ/
translation icon : jugar mejor que
  • In the final match, she consistently outplayed her opponent, showcasing her superior skill.

You may need to outplay them, as it were.

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Examples

  • If Slayer wants to make that move, we outplay 'em.

  • In the game, he threw two costly interceptions and was clearly outplayed by a freshman quarterback.

    Blog text (33)
  • Never attempt to outplay the player.

  • So, we have to outplay them at their own game and not be their victim.

    Blog text (29)
  • I'm just gonna outplay this guy this hand.

  • I'm just gonna outplay the guy.

  • All it means is that Player A outplayed Player B in this game.

    Blog text (6)
  • So, on a given day, you or I might outplay Kobe too, huh?

    Blog text (13)
  • Phat Hope continued to outplay us, but not by so wide a margin now.

    Academic text (1999)
  • We gave up a spurt when they outplayed us and got up 10.

    Blog text (9)

Synonyms

to beat
vsto outplay
1.4

To defeat another person or team in a contest

wins by performing better during a game or contest
to beat out
vsto outplay
49 3.8

Defeat others in a contest to win a job or prize

wins by generally performing better rather than by a small edge
to outperform
vsto outplay
30 4.8

Do better than someone or something

wins specifically by playing better in a game setting
to best
vsto outplay
23 4.2

To defeat someone in a contest or game

does so by superior performance during play
to outdo
vsto outplay
22 3.8

Be better than someone at something

means winning by superior play in direct competition
to outshine
vsto outplay
15 4.8

Do better and get more attention than others

wins by performing better in the game rather than just impressing
to outmaneuver
vsto outplay
  • US
15 7.7

Gain an advantage over someone by using skill or clever plans

wins by better general play rather than only tactical trickery
to outscore
vsto outplay
14 3.4

To score more points than an opponent in a game

wins by scoring more through better play not other factors
to overmatch
vsto outplay
10 7.1

To be much weaker than an opponent in a fight or competition

wins by better play rather than just having greater strength
to outclass
vsto outplay
8 4.6

To be much better than someone or something

wins by clear superiority in play rather than small differences
to outmatch
vsto outplay
8 6.4

Do better than someone in skill or performance

focuses on winning through superior play in a game or match
to outstrip
vsto outplay
7 6.8

To become faster, better, or larger than another

applies to winning by better play rather than to growth or speed
to outflank
vsto outplay
4 7.0

To gain an advantage over someone by using clever or unexpected actions

wins by performing better openly rather than by indirect moves
3 5.3

To defeat someone by using their own methods

wins by playing better overall not necessarily copying the opponent
to outcompete
vsto outplay
2 6.1

To do better than someone or something and win

wins through superior play in a game or competition
to outpoint
vsto outplay
  • Jargon
1 7.4

To score more points than an opponent, for example in boxing

wins by performing better in points based contests rather than knockouts
to outrival
vsto outplay
7.9

Be better than someone or something in a competition

wins by performing better within the rivalry or contest
to outgeneral
vsto outplay
9.9

To beat someone by using better plans or moves, for example in battle

wins by better play in general rather than only superior strategy
to outvie
vsto outplay
  • Archaic
9.9

To try to be better than someone in a contest or task

wins through better play rather than by mere striving or ambition
to outstand
vsto outplay
7.6

To be better than others in skill or quality

wins by better play in competition rather than general superiority
to score off
vsto outplay
  • UK
7.4

To get an advantage over someone by doing better than them

wins by overall better play rather than by a single clever advantage

How Skillful

to dominate
48 3.7
to outplay
14 4.2
edge
310 3.8
to play
1.0

Surface Forms

outplay infinitive
outplayed past
outplayed past participle
outplaying present participle
outplays third person singular

Morphology

outplay = play (transparent) = out + play

The productive prefix 'out-' meaning 'to do better than' combines straightforwardly with the verb 'play' to mean 'perform better than an opponent'.

Etymology

The word outplay comes from the prefix out- meaning 'more than', seen in words like outdo or outrun, and play meaning 'to perform in a game'. So to outplay someone is to 'play better than' them and beat them.