outfoxed

Outfoxed is the past participle of the verb outfox, meaning to outsmart, outwit, or defeat someone by cleverness. As an adjective, it describes a person or outcome that has been outmaneuvered or defeated through w cunning or wit. The word is formed by combining outfox with the suffix -ed, with fox serving as a metaphor for craftiness in English. It is used across a range of contexts, from sports and politics to everyday conversation, and can carry a neutral, humorous, or pejorative tone depending on the context.

In addition to its general sense, Outfoxed is notable as the title of a 2004 documentary film, Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism, directed by Robert Greenwald. The film scrutinizes Fox News and argues that the network demonstrates bias in its reporting, presenting the filmmakers’ perspective on media ownership and practice. Reception to the documentary was mixed, with supporters praising its critique of media bias and opponents accusing it of selective editing or advocacy rather than objective analysis.

Beyond its use as a common verb form and as a film title, outfoxed appears in journalism and commentary as a descriptor for someone who has been defeated or exposed through cunning strategy. The term remains a colloquial, informal expression in English, often employed to convey a sense of clever defeat or exposure.