maneuver 1 of 2

verb

Definition of maneuvernext
1
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently maneuvered the conversation so as to avoid the touchy subject of her divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care successfully maneuvered a way to get him to ask her to the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

maneuver

2 of 2

noun

1
as in attack

Related Words
2
as in subterfuge

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word maneuver different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of maneuver are artifice, feint, ruse, stratagem, trick, and wile. While all these words mean "an indirect means to gain an end," maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty.

last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy

Where would artifice be a reasonable alternative to maneuver?

While in some cases nearly identical to maneuver, artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention.

the clever artifices of the stage

When is it sensible to use feint instead of maneuver?

The meanings of feint and maneuver largely overlap; however, feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent.

a feint toward the enemy's left flank

When is ruse a more appropriate choice than maneuver?

The words ruse and maneuver can be used in similar contexts, but ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression.

the ruses of smugglers

In what contexts can stratagem take the place of maneuver?

The words stratagem and maneuver are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy.

the stratagem-filled game

When would trick be a good substitute for maneuver?

In some situations, the words trick and maneuver are roughly equivalent. However, trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end.

the tricks of the trade

When could wile be used to replace maneuver?

Although the words wile and maneuver have much in common, wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements.

used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of maneuver
Verb
The plane made erratic maneuvers and several mayday calls before disappearing, the report said. —Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025 These may have been practice runs, aborted docking attempts, or sudden maneuvers to avoid the prying eyes of the US military's GSSAP satellites loitering nearby. —ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
Noun
For the Russians, the plan left plenty of room to maneuver, and did not impose nearly as much pain as many in Moscow had feared. —Simon Shuster, Time, 15 July 2025 At least entering their series against the New York Mets starting Friday at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals had maneuvered back from the brink. —Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for maneuver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maneuver
  1. manipulate
  2. negotiate
  3. attack
  4. subterfuge
  5. handle
  6. arrange
  7. assault
  8. ruse
Verb
  • Fast-forward to this month, when Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement to move past Trump's claims that CBS's 60 Minutes deceptively manipulated a pre-election interview with Kamala Harris.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025
  • The Dershowitz theory does not compute because the government invariably manipulates projections about future harm for ulterior partisan or personal motives.
    — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • The sale of the home entertainment rights was negotiated by Brian Andreotti on behalf of Music Box Films and Workman.
    — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 24 July 2025
  • This month, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro negotiated a prisoner swap with the United States, releasing 10 American citizens in his custody and dozens of Venezuelan political prisoners.
    — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2025
Definition of negotiate
Noun
  • The restaurant was a favorite hangout of the Gilbert Goons and the site of seven parking lot attacks, according to beating videos, interviews and police records.
    — Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • And given that the English top flight jumped above the Bundesliga for the number of direct attacks per game last season, players who can be decisive at speed will continue to command premium prices.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • An especially Jewish theme in the seventeenth century was not only the necessity but the dignity of subterfuge; to have lived in the shadows of another people’s empire had a nobility of its own, captured in this exquisite and ambivalent image.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 19 July 2025
  • People generally might not realize the subterfuge at play.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
Definition of subterfuge
Verb
  • Today’s chatbots, in contrast, can engage in meaningful, multi-turn conversations—answering complex questions, handling follow-ups, and even escalating issues when necessary.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The poll also shows that 39 percent approve of the way Trump is handling his job as president versus 56 percent who disapprove.
    — Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Definition of handle
Verb
  • Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
  • The controversy comes at a time the United States is trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
    — Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Definition of arrange
Noun
  • Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.
    — Jacky Wong, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.
    — Reuters, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2023
Definition of assault
Noun
  • No, because the medic — work requirements are a ruse.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 13 July 2025
  • Ben Affleck's Argo is a real film about the ruse of making a fake film to help rescue real-life hostages in Iran.
    — EW Staff Published, EW.com, 4 July 2025
Definition of ruse

Browse Nearby Words

manes
maneuver
maneuver (around)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maneuver. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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