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

Examples of outmaneuver in a Sentence

outmaneuvered his congressional opponent by co-opting his call for change in Washington
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
During that first half, Boston shot the ball well from deep (8-for-18) while also frequently outmaneuvering and overpowering the Suns inside. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2025 No Blue Jays skipper has won it since, not even Cito Gaston, who consistently outmaneuvered Cox and the Braves in the 1992 World Series. Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 For venture capitalists, this is catnip: startups that master vibe marketing can scale faster, burn less cash, and outmaneuver bigger rivals, all traits that signal a potential unicorn. Josipa Majic Predin, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 Their united front left him completely outmaneuvered. Evan Nierman, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for outmaneuver

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outmaneuver was in 1796

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outmaneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outmaneuver. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

outmaneuver

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

More from Merriam-Webster on outmaneuver

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!