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.
Myles Turner has outwitted, outplayed and outlasted. Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025 Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts outplayed almost everyone in the game but the Chiefs were able to grab the win. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025 The Bulls would not mind hanging onto both young players, particularly Phillips who has shown the capacity to outplay expectations as a second-round selection to produce a significant defensive impact while flexing some of the best athleticism on the entire roster. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025 Post dropped 20 points in a commanding win over the Bulls, outplaying the stretch-five prototype Nikola Vucevic on the other side. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near outplay

Cite this Entry

“Outplay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outplay. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

outplay

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