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

What Malaysia’s year made clear is that ASEAN cannot outmaneuver China with declarations. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

But Lord, let not the enemy outwit your purpose, outmaneuver your move. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

Walmart aims to leverage the tariff situation to gain market share by strategically absorbing costs and potentially outmaneuvering competitors who might raise prices prematurely. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025

Companies may never be able to outsmart hackers or outmaneuver human error. —Karthik Sj, Forbes, 28 Feb. 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