Defeat with a counter manoeuvre (7)
I believe the answer is:
trounce
'defeat' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'counter manoeuvre' is the wordplay.
'manoeuvre' is an anagram indicator.
'counter' anagrammed gives 'TROUNCE'.
'with a' is the link.
(Other definitions for trounce that I've seen before include "Beat soundly" , "Massacre" , "Defeat heavily in recount" , "Easily best" , "Defeat heavily (in contest)" .)