Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
to outtalk

to outtalk

1 7.0
To talk more than someone in an argument to stop them being heard
  • verb
  • /ˌaʊtˈtɔk/
translation icon : hablar más que
  • I don't care if he outtalks every Southern senator on Capitol Hill.

Examples

  • I think if I make the rounds, do the Sunday morning talk shows... raise the level of the game a bit, outtalk her on the issues...

    The Contender (2000)

  • Put on The Walking Dead; I'd rather watch the zombie apocalypse than hear any more politicians try to outtalk each other about the mess we are in.

    Blog text (1)

  • I have known men that could outtalk women any day of the week.

    Blog text (19)

  • One or two people usually have control of or outtalk most of us.

    Blog text (8)

  • The trick is to see who can outtalk the other.

    Lost Horizon (1937)

  • You can't outtalk her

    Fritz the Cat (1972)

  • I would not be afraid that they would do much more than try to outtalk me or take the last Twinkie (which I know they would share if I asked).

    Blog text (34)

  • In the heated debate, Sarah managed to outtalk her opponent with her persuasive arguments.

  • During the meeting, John tried to outtalk everyone else, wanting to ensure his points were heard.

  • He always attempts to outtalk his friends when they discuss politics, dominating the conversation.

Synonyms

to overtalk
vsto outtalk
1 6.4

To talk so much that you stop others from speaking

focuses on longer strategic speech to win or silence the opponent
to talk under the table
vsto outtalk
  • Informal
9.6

To speak more and make others stop talking

aims to speak longer specifically to win or silence the other person
to talk someone's leg off
vsto outtalk
  • UK
8.1

Speak with someone for a very long time until they get tired

is more targeted speaking to win or silence someone in an argument

Antonyms

to be quiet
231 1.0

To stop making noise or talking

How Dominant

to monopolize
  • US
22 6.7
to outtalk
1 7.0
to interrupt
909 2.5
to speak
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

outtalk infinitive
outtalked past
outtalked past participle
outtalking present participle
outtalks third person singular

Morphology

outtalk = talk (transparent) = out + talk

The productive prefix 'out-' meaning 'more than/surpass' combines directly with the verb 'talk', so the meaning 'talk more/persistently than someone' is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word outtalk combines the prefix out- ('more than' or 'beyond'), seen in words like outgrow and outrun, with talk ('to speak'). So to outtalk someone is to speak more or longer than they do, often to win the conversation or stop them being heard.