outthink

American  

[out-thingk] / ˌaʊtˈθɪŋk /

verb (used with object)

outthought, outthinking

1. to excel in thinking; think; think faster, more accurately, or more perceptively than.

   outthinking most of her contemporaries in the field of human relations.

2. to get the advantage of (someone) by quick or clever thinking; think; outwit.

   only a split second to outthink his opponent.

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outthink British  

/ ˌaʊtˈθɪŋk /

verb

1. to outdo in thinking

2. to outwit

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Etymology

Origin of outthink

First recorded in 1695–1705; out- + think ¹

Example Sentences

OpenAI was founded to pursue artificial general intelligence, broadly defined as being able to outthink humans at almost all tasks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

In a blog post, Google CEO Sundar Puchai predicted the technology underlying Gemini Advanced will be able to outthink even the smartest people when tackling many complex topics.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 8, 2024

“If you keep your mental game, you’ll get close. I’m not going to outhit and outputt them, but I can outthink them.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2023

It was fun watching the Richmond coaching staff trying to figure out how to outthink how Nate would inevitably outthink them.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2023

The important thing was to outthink the enemy, find his weakness, let him have his moment of exultation.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman