outflank

[ out-flangk ]

verb (used with object)

1. to go or extend beyond the flank of (an opposing military unit); turn the flank of.
2. to outmaneuver or bypass.

outflank

/ ˌaʊtˈflæŋk /

verb

1. to go around the flank of (an opposing army)
2. to get the better of

Other Words From

• outflanker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of outflank¹

First recorded in 1755–65; out- + flank

Example Sentences

Along the way, they learned valuable lessons about how to outflank the competition and come away with not another defeat, but a home of their own.

From Time

In a blog post published May 17, S&P Dow Jones Indices’ head of ESG indices for North America Margaret Dorn explained that, although Tesla’s ESG score has remained relatively “stable” year-on-year, it had been outflanked by global industry peers.

From Time

Across a wide range of industries, dominant firms are employing large-scale information systems to outflank their competitors, including innovative startups.

From MIT Technology Review

Yet while these companies operate competing services, Cainiao has the potential to outflank them because its platform can absorb any industry players that wish to be a part of it.

From Time

The competition too often becomes about who can outflank their fellow travelers.

From The Daily Beast

The most acute risk comes from those who outflank radicals with deeper radicalism.

From The Daily Beast

He even recruited a few of his former agency handlers, once retired, to help him outflank the CIA.

From The Daily Beast

To woo back Tea Party support from Perry, she has to outflank him to the right, and she risks going too far.

From The Daily Beast

But are not the armies of the enemy strong enough to outflank any line of intrenchments that we might make?

From Project Gutenberg

A regular organization of forces is observed and every effort made to outflank or surround the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a long detour for Paul to outflank his game and get to the leeward of it.

From Project Gutenberg

But they might outflank him and come in to the right or left of him.

From Project Gutenberg

The enemy could easily outflank and surround us, if we did not abandon it in time.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• outdo
• outfox
• outshine
• outwit