Outmaneuver
What it means
To gain an advantage through more skillful planning.
Reach for it when describing an advantage gained through more skillful positioning or planning
The small firm used careful timing to outmaneuver its larger rival.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
wrong-foot
Fits when an unexpected move leaves the opponent poorly positioned
Careful Wrong-foot has an informal hint of trickery.
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everyday
gain the upper hand over
Fits when the resulting advantage matters more than method
Careful An upper hand can come from power rather than skill.
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everyday
Fits when better thinking defeats the opposing plan
Careful Outsmart emphasizes intellect rather than position.
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professional
outflank
Fits when advantage comes from moving around a side or defense
Careful Outflank has military overtones and a narrower mechanism.
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formal
circumvent
Fits when a barrier is bypassed
Careful Circumvention need not defeat an active opponent.
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literary
steal a march on
Fits when early action creates advantage
Careful The idiom is old-fashioned and time-specific.
Opposites 3
- be outmaneuvered by
- miscalculate
- lose position to
Common phrases 3
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outmaneuver a rival
The small firm used timing to outmaneuver a larger rival.
-
politically outmaneuver
She refused to politically outmaneuver partners who trusted her.
-
attempt to outmaneuver
Both teams will attempt to outmaneuver the high press.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Outmaneuver frames interaction as contest and can imply manipulation; coordinate or negotiate may better fit a shared problem.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated