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

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in subterfuge

Synonyms & Similar 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
Once undocking commences, Dragon will maneuver a safe distance away from the ISS, to begin a series of deorbit burns to place the spacecraft on a return trajectory for a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 May 2025 Like these crows, Ito knows what’s coming, and how to maneuver us into position. —Sam Thielman, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Noun
Last week, China's coast guard executed close-quarter blocking maneuvers and deployed its water cannon in nearby waters while attempting to drive off a Philippine fisheries bureau vessel that Manila said was supporting a scientific mission. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025 Supporters of Senate Bill 72 pushed the legislation through on the last day of the session after using a rare parliamentary maneuver. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 23 May 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
  • Deepfakes are manipulated images, audio recordings, or videos of real people that have been altered with artificial intelligence to misrepresent someone as saying or doing something that the person did not actually say or do.
    — Alain Sherter, CBS News, 6 June 2025
  • This may surprise the more than 1 million Californians who received $21.65 apiece from the state in mid-May after a settlement reached by state Attorney General Rob Bonta with three gasoline trading firms that allegedly manipulated gas prices in 2016 during another refinery outage.
    — Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • For starters, unlike Trump’s single-minded focus on China during his first-term trade war, Trump 2.0 is sparring with every country on the planet with the ostensible goal of negotiating freer and fairer trade deals, from our closest democratic allies to the Chinese Communist Party.
    — Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
  • Here’s the thing, no employee should be left to negotiate basic dignity on their own.
    — Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of negotiate
Noun
  • Try supplements: Certain supplements, such as Riboflavin and CoQ10, can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
    — Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 6 June 2025
  • Gangs control at least 85% of its capital, Port-au-Prince, and have launched attacks in the country’s central region in recent years.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Definition of attack
Noun
  • The only safe refuge, 20 miles away, is the federal garrison at Harpers Ferry, but reaching it will require much subterfuge and even more luck.
    — Alida Becker, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Remember when Russia was that pesky geopolitical force who’s own constant secrecy and subterfuge brought about the downfall of its imperial ambitions?
    — Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of subterfuge
Verb
  • Intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants can handle many customer queries, freeing up human agents for more complex interactions.
    — Ivan Ostojić, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • The Yanks lobbed them the title, and the Dodgers were barely able to handle the throw.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Definition of handle
Verb
  • Clinics often arrange hotel stays and local transfers.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 28 May 2025
  • At Emery’s request, the club arranged a warm-weather camp in Dubai during the March international break, including a couple of friendlies against local teams.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 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
  • The Republicans’ billionaire populism has always been a ruse.
    — Jim Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • For the artist Christina Ramberg, watching her mother getting dressed for parties—in particular, putting on a corset called a merry widow, which gave her an hourglass figure—revealed the extent to which the female form was a ruse.
    — Jane Yong Kim, The Atlantic, 30 May 2025
Definition of ruse

Browse Nearby Words

manes
maneuver
maneuver (around)
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Cite this Entry

“Maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maneuver. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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