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

Recent Examples on the Web And the possibility that geopolitical competitors might use AI to outmaneuver allies, increases the pressure to operate on the same terms. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 Use intelligence and energy to mastermind your way to victory instead of helping someone outmaneuver you. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024 And his mastery of the rulebook has helped maximize his team’s chances and even enabled Vrabel to outmaneuver Belichick. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 Yes, it’s generally accepted that Biden outmaneuvered House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 3 Aug. 2023 In a narrative woven with the threads of mysticism and peril, Aang's band must outmaneuver not only the mystical forces at play but also withstand Fire Lord Ozai's tyranny, with Zuko loyally by his side. Travis Bean, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 The bipartisan legislation comes months after House leaders heard testimony from military officers who described reports of mysterious objects outmaneuvering military jets. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 The hard-charging lawyer, businessman and Massachusetts movie theater owner outmaneuvered rivals to build one of America’s premier entertainment companies. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024 Use your knowledge and experience to outmaneuver anyone who wants to spar with you. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outmaneuver.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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

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