Thesaurus results for OUTFOXED

outfoxed

verb

past tense of outfox

as in outwitted

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 outfoxed Across two seasons packed with twisty machinations, Jung’s virtuous prosecutor Jang Geon-young attempted to pin down Hyun’s shamelessly corrupt — but effortlessly cool — intelligence officer Baek Ki-tae, only to be outfoxed at every turn. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 Gauff dug in, matched Badosa’s power, and outfoxed her when the opportunities arose. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Liv Morgan begged for a tag, but she was outfoxed by a blind tag from Rhea Ripley. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026 No doubt remained that I’d been outfoxed. — Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outfoxed

Verb

To say that Cucurella was pleased, when the Spanish side outwitted the French in the semifinal, would be an understatement.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
For Deschamps and Stephan, there was no shortage of blame after Spain’s Luis de la Fuente outwitted the French coaching staff for the third time, following wins at the 2024 European Championship and last year’s Nations League semi-final.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Definition of outwitted

Verb

In 2026, Keiko Fujimori narrowly defeated a left-wing candidate to win the Peruvian presidency, while most recently, in Colombia, conservative attorney Abelardo de la Espriella bested left-wing Senator Ivan Cepeda.

— David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Since Baker Mayfield signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, the Panthers have defeated their division rivals just once in the past seven meetings, including Carolina’s 43-13 blowout loss at home Sunday.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of defeated

Verb

While Shadab outsmarted England pace with his brilliant batting, Rauf gave him ample support by sensibly not going for expansive shots.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
But this will be forever known as a day when football’s smartest organization got outsmarted, when football’s best coach fumbled and when the San Francisco 49ers turned football’s giants into so much shrimp on the barbie.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of outsmarted

Verb

First-year Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur, the Rams’ former offensive coordinator, outcoached and outmaneuvered McVay, his friend and mentor.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
For more than a decade, India’s leader Narendra Modi has seemed politically unassailable, presiding over a government that has outmaneuvered opponents, dominated public discourse and squeezed the space for dissent in the world’s biggest democracy.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

Definition of outmaneuvered

Verb

Attorneys for New Mexico argued that the state's entire population, not just Facebook users, were deceived by the company's public statements about privacy on the platform.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Attorneys for New Mexico argued that the state’s entire population, not just Facebook users, were deceived by the company’s public statements about privacy on the platform.

— Mikella Schuettler, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of deceived

Verb

Every time the twitchy little bug stops for a moment, Snaggletooth focuses to prepare a pounce, only to be thwarted as the fatty snack buzzes to another spot in the nest.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
The local ceasefire is due to last through Saturday, or longer, though deep mistrust between Russia and Ukraine has thwarted previous attempts at ceasefires.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of thwarted

Verb

Kaprizov and Hartman scored in the third period as Minnesota overcame a 3-1 deficit to force overtime.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Craig overcame being sacked four times and the run game producing just 33 yards to lead TCU to the massive victory, as the Horned Frogs scored multiple touchdowns against a Power Four conference opponent for the first time this season.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of overcame

Browse Nearby Words

outfox

outfoxed

outfoxes

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Outfoxed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outfoxed. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of outfoxed

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes