outplay

verb

out·​play ˌau̇t-ˈplā How to pronounce outplay (audio)
outplayed; outplaying; outplays

transitive verb

: to play better than
especially : to outdo in playing a game
The Knicks took a 21-point lead in the first half, gave up 18 consecutive points in the third quarter, but outplayed the Kings down the stretch to win … The Times Union (Albany, New York)

Examples of outplay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
So there’s a strong possibility for Simpson to outplay that ranking. Antonio Morales, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025 Putin in Alaska is about to outplay Trump again, by Marc Champion, columnist, Bloomberg Opinion. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025 A lot can change once facing another team, but if Rattler outplays the rookie during the preseason, New Orleans will probably have no other option than to go with Rattler. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Aug. 2025 But she was thoroughly outplayed by teammate Iliana Rupert, who could replace Fágbénlé in certain starting lineups depending on the matchups. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outplay

Word History

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outplay was in 1702

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outplay. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

outplay

verb
out·​play
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈplā
: to play better than
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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