Defeated someone or won against them by being clever or cunning rather than by physical strength.
From Old English 'smeart' meaning sharp or severe, combined with the prefix 'out-' meaning surpassing. This is a modern English combination (1600s+) meaning to beat someone using greater intelligence.
In evolution, being 'smart' often matters more than being 'strong'—humans outsmarted larger predators for millions of years by using tools, cooperation, and planning rather than physical power.
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