Outflank: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is mostly used in military or strategic contexts where someone moves around the side of an enemy to gain an advantage.

• The general planned to outflank the enemy forces
• Our team managed to outflank the competition by launching a new product

Used when someone skillfully avoids or gets past an obstacle or opponent, typically through clever tactics or superior agility.

• The race car driver outmaneuvered his opponents to win
• We must outmaneuver the bureaucracy to get our permit on time

Carries a similar meaning to 'outsmart' but often implies a playful or sneaky element, and can sometimes have a negative connotation.

• The detective was able to outwit the criminal
• The child attempted to outwit his parents and stay up past his bedtime

This word is often used in everyday situations where someone uses intelligence or cleverness to overcome another person or a problem.

• He tried to outsmart his teacher with a clever excuse
• The fox was able to outsmart the hunting dogs

This word is often used in military or strategic contexts when describing the action of positioning oneself to gain an advantage over an opponent by moving around them.

• The general decided to outflank the enemy forces by sending troops around their right side.
• The chess player managed to outflank his opponent with an unexpected move.

This word indicates using intelligence or cleverness to get an advantage over someone else, often in a challenging or competitive situation.

• He always tries to outsmart his friends with tricky puzzles.
• They managed to outsmart the hackers by improving their cybersecurity measures.

Outmaneuver is used to denote the act of skillfully moving around or getting ahead of an opponent in various fields including sports, politics, or business.

• She was able to outmaneuver her competitors in the race to secure the promotion.
• The CEO outmaneuvered his rivals by making strategic alliances.

Outwit has a somewhat similar meaning to outsmart but often implies using cunning or deceit to achieve one's goals, and can carry a slightly negative connotation.

• She outwitted her opponents by spreading false information.
• The thief tried to outwit the police by hiding in an unexpected place.