To outthink someone means to defeat them by thinking more cleverly or strategically than they do. When you outthink an opponent, you've thought through the situation more carefully or seen something they missed that gives you an advantage.

In chess, a player might outthink their opponent by setting up a trap several moves ahead. In a debate, you might outthink someone by anticipating their arguments and preparing strong responses. A basketball team could outthink their rivals by studying game footage and designing plays that exploit weaknesses in the other team's defense.

Outthinking someone requires paying attention, planning ahead, and understanding how others think. It's about strategy and insight rather than just raw intelligence. A younger student might outthink an older one at checkers by staying three moves ahead, or you might outthink a friend in hide-and-seek by choosing a spot they'd never expect because you know how they search.

The word reminds us that success often comes from how we think, not just how much we know. When you outthink someone, you've won the mental game.