Intellectually defeats Oxford University buffoons (7)
I believe the answer is:
outwits
'intellectually defeats' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to competing as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'oxford university buffoons' is the wordplay.
'oxford university' becomes 'OU'.
'buffoons' becomes 'twits' (I've seen this in another clue).
'ou'+'twits'='OUTWITS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for outwits that I've seen before include "kids" , "Is too smart for" , "Gulls" .)