outmaneuver

verb

out·​ma·​neu·​ver ˌau̇t-mə-ˈn(y)ü-vər 

outmaneuvered; outmaneuvering

transitive verb

: to outdo, defeat, or gain an advantage over by skillful or clever maneuvering : to maneuver more effectively than

Battalions are especially important in desert warfare because they are powerful enough to deliver devastating blows … but small enough to sneak along ridges and valleys to outmaneuver larger forces.

—Bob Davis

… an amorally ambitious studio exec who disposes of a threatening screenwriter as coolly as he outmaneuvers a rival executive.

—Gregg Kilday

Sabre pilots learned that if they could force their adversaries to change direction rapidly, the Sabre could outmaneuver them.

—Fred Reed

Synonyms

• fox
• outfox
• outslick
• outsmart
• outthink
• outwit
• overreach

Examples of outmaneuver in a Sentence

outmaneuvered his congressional opponent by co-opting his call for change in Washington

Recent Examples on the Web

Aldermen then proceeded to outmaneuver the mayor to land a budget with no property tax increase. —Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2025

By the end, the scammer was audibly frustrated, realizing they had been outmaneuvered by an AI. —Lars Daniel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

How Crooks managed to outmaneuver law enforcement that day is among many questions that remain unanswered about the Secret Service security failure. —Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2024

Ferguson is miffed that the Crips outmaneuvered the cops, but Mike insists that all that matters is the gang gets the message that the police could hurt them. —Noel Murray, Vulture, 21 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

outmaneuver

verb

out·​ma·​neu·​ver

ˌau̇t-mə-ˈn(y)ü-vər

: to be more skillful or successful than in maneuvering