What does outmanoeuvred mean?
Outmanoeuvred is the past tense and past participle of outmanoeuvre, a British English verb meaning to outwit or gain a decisive advantage over someone by clever positioning, timing, or tactics. In a direct competition, for example, a side outmanoeuvres a rival by anticipating the rival's moves and controlling the available options. The word normally implies that the advantage comes from superior strategy or skill rather than merely greater effort. It is especially natural in political, military, business, and sporting discussion, where manoeuvring is central, though it can apply more broadly to any contest of judgement. American English normally spells the corresponding word outmaneuvered. The construction is transitive: a person or group outmanoeuvres an opponent, a rival, or a challenge. As a past participle, it can also stand alone or modify a subject, although the plain past-tense use is more common.
verb (past tense and past participle)To gain an advantage over an opponent through superior strategy, timing, or maneuvering, especially by anticipating and countering the opponent's actions.
- To gain an advantage over an opponent through superior strategy, timing, or maneuvering, especially by anticipating and countering the opponent's actions.
"By anticipating every counterattack, the young player outmanoeuvred her opponent and seized the final point."
"By anticipating every counterattack, the young player outmanoeuvred her opponent and seized the final point."
"The minister outmanoeuvred her critics by setting out the proposal before they could coordinate their objections."
Manoeuvre ultimately comes from Latin for “work by hand”—a fitting origin for a word about gaining the upper hand.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outmanoeuvred come from?
The word combines the British English prefix out- with manoeuvre, both of which convey gaining or exercising an advantage through movement or strategy. Manoeuvre comes through French from the Latin manu operari, “to work by hand,” and originally referred to the controlled movement of troops or ships. The American spelling maneuver comes from the same French source, while outmanoeuvre developed as a separate verb expressing superiority in maneuvering.
Related word forms
How outmanoeuvred is actually used
The form is chiefly British; American English normally uses outmaneuvered. It is usually transitive and has a formal or strategic tone, making it especially common in political, military, business, and sporting contexts. It may also be used as a past participle after a form of be.
Easily confused with outmanoeuvred
To manoeuvre is to move, arrange, or negotiate a course of action, whereas to outmanoeuvre someone is to gain an advantage over that person by superior maneuvering.