outmaneuver

outmaneuver — verb

  • outmaneuverpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • outmaneuvers3rd person singular
  • outmaneuvering-ing form
  • outmaneuveredpast simple

1. to beat a competitor or opponent by planning and acting more skillfully than the

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to beat a competitor or opponent by planning and acting more skillfully than they do.

Example

The smaller campaign outmaneuvered its richer rival by holding meetings in every village.

outmaneuver + rival + by + -ing

Mei outmaneuvered the defending champion with a patient plan at the tennis final.

outmaneuver an opponent with a plan

Common collocations
  • outmaneuver a rival
  • outmaneuver an opponent
  • outmaneuver the competition
  • outmaneuver larger competitors
Synonyms
  • outwit

    often suggests winning by clever thinking or a trick

  • outsmart

    more everyday and general

  • outfox

    adds a sly or surprising feel

  • defeat

    broader and does not specify clever planning

Grammar Patterns

outmaneuver + someone

outmaneuver + a rival/opponent/competitor

outmaneuver + someone + by + -ing

Usage Note

Usually used with an object such as a rival, opponent, competitor, or opposing group. It suggests a contest that is won through planning, positioning, or timing rather than through force alone.

Common Mistakes

Do not add 'than' after the verb: say 'The team outmaneuvered its rivals,' not 'outmaneuvered than its rivals.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Outmaneuver focuses on winning through strategy, positioning, or a series of planned moves, especially in politics, business, sport, or conflict. Outwit and outsmart are close, but they can describe a single clever idea as well as a longer plan. Outfox sounds more playful or sly. Defeat is much broader and can happen through strength, luck, or numbers, not necessarily through better planning.

outwit ↗outsmart ↗outfox ↗defeat ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • outmaneuver a rival
  • outmaneuver an opponent
  • outmaneuver the competition
  • outmaneuver larger competitors

Etymology

English

Outmaneuver was formed in English from out- and maneuver. The prefix adds the idea of doing something better than another person or side, while maneuver keeps the sense of planned movement or strategy. Together they describe beating someone by making more effective moves.

First known use

1796

1796, in the meaning defined above