outflank
verb
out·flank
ˌau̇t-ˈflaŋk 
outflanked; outflanking; outflanks
1
: to get around the flank of (an opposing force)
2
: get around, circumvent
trying to outflank the competition
Examples of outflank in a Sentence
The army outflanked the enemy.
trying to outflank the competition
Recent Examples on the Web
The metal skyrocketed 150% in 2025, outflanking the record surge in gold.
—
Hugh Leask, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Banks that modernize now can still win, but those that assume the competitive set is static risk being outflanked.
—Frank Sorrentino, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Jenrick covets Badenoch’s job—and his plan to win it relies on outflanking her on crime and immigration.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
The bigger risk is being outflanked.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outflank
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Hugh Leask, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Banks that modernize now can still win, but those that assume the competitive set is static risk being outflanked.
—Frank Sorrentino, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Jenrick covets Badenoch’s job—and his plan to win it relies on outflanking her on crime and immigration.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025
The bigger risk is being outflanked.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outflank
Cite this Entry
“Outflank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outflank. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outflank
verb
out·flank
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈflaŋk
: to get around the side of (a military formation)
outflank the enemy
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