What does outmanoeuvre mean?
Outmanoeuvre means to gain an advantage over an opponent by employing greater skill, foresight, or cunning. It is particularly appropriate when the outcome depends on maneuvering, strategic positioning, negotiation, or outwitting an adversary. For example, a company may outmanoeuvre its competitors by identifying a market opportunity before they recognize it, while a politician may outmanoeuvre rivals by shaping an apparently open debate. The word conveys calculated and successful advantage rather than merely superior strength or effort. It is chiefly used in formal and professional contexts and can suggest that the winner anticipated the opponent's likely moves. Although the spelling outmanoeuvre is standard in British English, outmaneuver is preferred in American English. The expression is most useful when describing a contest in which clever strategy determines the result.
verbTo gain an advantage over an opponent by using greater skill, cunning, or strategic maneuvering.
- To gain an advantage over a person or opponent by outmaneuvering them through superior strategy or cunning.
"Through a series of shrewd negotiations, she outmanoeuvred her rivals."
"The smaller company outmanoeuvred its larger competitors by anticipating changes in the market."
"By controlling the discussion, the minister outmanoeuvred those who had hoped to undermine the proposal."
To outmanoeuvre someone is to maneuver them more skillfully than they maneuver you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outmanoeuvre come from?
Outmanoeuvre was formed in the early 19th century from the prefix out- and the noun manoeuvre, meaning strategic action or maneuvering. Manoeuvre itself comes from French manœuvre, a military term for a troop movement, ultimately from Latin phrases referring to work done with the hands. The same underlying roots produced the alternate English spelling maneuver and related forms such as manoeuvrable and manoeuvrability.
Related word forms
How outmanoeuvre is actually used
The word is relatively formal and is especially associated with strategic political, commercial, or competitive contexts.
Easily confused with outmanoeuvre
Outmanoeuvre and outmaneuver have the same meaning, but outmaneuver is the standard spelling in US English.