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

• outwit
• outsmart
• thwart
• deceive
• defeat
• overcome
• outfox
• outthink

Examples of outmaneuver in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The encounter took place less than two weeks after a confrontation at another South China Sea hot spot—Scarborough Shoal—that saw a Chinese navy destroyer and a China coast guard ship collide after being outmaneuvered by a smaller Philippine coast guard cutter. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025

Errani and Vavassori outmaneuvered the Top 5 singles players. —Merlisa Lawrence Corbett, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Way too much time is spent by both parties trying to outmaneuver each other on something that is wrong and unfair. —Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025

The arrangement will give Disney more heft at the negotiating table with distributors and new firepower in its effort to outmaneuver streaming rivals. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outmaneuver

• approver
• improver
• maneuver
• remover
• louver
• mover

Kids Definition

outmaneuver

verb

out·​ma·​neu·​ver

ˌau̇t-mə-ˈn(y)ü-vər

: to be more skillful or successful than in maneuvering