outmaneuver
verb
out·ma·neu·ver
ˌau̇t-mə-ˈn(y)ü-vər 
outmaneuvered; outmaneuvering
: 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
Bob Davis… an amorally ambitious studio exec who disposes of a threatening screenwriter as coolly as he outmaneuvers a rival executive.—Gregg Kilday
Gregg KildaySabre pilots learned that if they could force their adversaries to change direction rapidly, the Sabre could outmaneuver them.—Fred Reed
Fred ReedExamples of outmaneuver in a Sentence
outmaneuvered his congressional opponent by co-opting his call for change in Washington
Recent Examples on the Web
Two generals agreed with Ashley's characterization, stressing the view that on the front lines, Ukraine was outmaneuvering Russia.
—Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Infantino endured another lesson in the limits of his facile brand of diplomacy in Vancouver, when he was outmaneuvered by Jibril Rajoub, the 73-year-old president of the Palestinian Football Association, who had asked to address the congress.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
But in the case of the stork, the bird saw the drone and outmaneuvered it.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
The auteur can now cross another genre off his bucket list with The Samurai and the Prisoner (Kokurojo), a stately and rather stagy historical mystery set during the 16th century, at a time when warring clans fought and outmaneuvered each other for control of the land.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for outmaneuver
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Infantino endured another lesson in the limits of his facile brand of diplomacy in Vancouver, when he was outmaneuvered by Jibril Rajoub, the 73-year-old president of the Palestinian Football Association, who had asked to address the congress.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026
But in the case of the stork, the bird saw the drone and outmaneuvered it.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
The auteur can now cross another genre off his bucket list with The Samurai and the Prisoner (Kokurojo), a stately and rather stagy historical mystery set during the 16th century, at a time when warring clans fought and outmaneuvered each other for control of the land.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for outmaneuver
Cite this Entry
“Outmaneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outmaneuver. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
