MANEUVER Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

maneuver 1 of 2

verb

Definition of maneuver next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples 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

Three seasons are easy to maneuver in the great outdoors — and then there’s winter. —

Debra Pamplin, Travel + Leisure, 4 Dec. 2024 Lightweight and easy to maneuver, the Devafuser works well on a variety of curl types, from waves to coils. —

Erin Parker, Allure, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

In addition, legislative budget writers are going line by line through agency budgets to uncover unspent dollars and contemplating fiscal maneuvers to find additional revenue. —

John Frank, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024 Last month, the car-size spacecraft flew by Venus in a maneuver that will help slingshot it near the sun. —

Denise Chow, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for maneuver

Recent Examples of Synonyms for maneuver

Verb

But all of that changed starting in 2017, when Mr. Trump became president amid the F.B.I. investigation into Russia’s covert attempt to manipulate the 2016 election and the nature of the ties between his campaign and Moscow.

Charlie Savage, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2024
Symbolic capitalists—academics, commentators, lawyers, consultants—manipulate words or data rather than making things with their hands.

Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2024