outmaneuver

verb

out·​ma·​neu·​ver ˌau̇t-mə-ˈn(y)ü-vər How to pronounce outmaneuver (audio)
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Some whales can outmaneuver krill, such as the long-flippered humpback whale, but blue whales have had to sacrifice maneuverability for the sake of long-range efficiency. Eric M. Keen, Scientific American, 31 July 2020 Washington tried to outmaneuver the Bucks' bigs by going under the rim but Lopez was able to reach out with his left hand and swat the shot. Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2023 To acquire Aman, Doronin and Amanat had to outmaneuver several high-dollar suitors, including Blackstone, the Carlyle Group, and LVMH. Chris Pomorski, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2022 Of course, hackers will find ways to outmaneuver these plans. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2020 Holly must summon all her formidable talents to outthink and outmaneuver the shockingly twisted professors. Clark Collis, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2023 President Biden is framing his meetings with Middle East autocrats as an effort to contain Russia and outmaneuver China. New York Times, 17 July 2022 That case, not coincidentally, emerged from a state — Florida — where a Republican legislature was attempting to outmaneuver a state supreme court that was largely liberal. Ian Macdougall, ProPublica, 30 Nov. 2022 The original Little Red Riding Hood saw the protagonist — Red — outmaneuver and trick the wolf who is impersonating her grandmother. Monica Cull, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'outmaneuver.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outmaneuver was in 1796

Dictionary Entries Near outmaneuver

Cite this Entry

“Outmaneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outmaneuver. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

outmaneuver

verb
out·​ma·​neu·​ver
ˌau̇t-mə-ˈn(y)ü-vər
: to be more skillful or successful than in maneuvering

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