maneuver 1 of 2

maneuver

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noun

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
Moscow would become the pivot player in the competition between Beijing and Washington, with ties to both and space to maneuver to its advantage. Michael McFaul, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2025 While SpaceX has a clear advantage in number of launches, schedule assurance, and pricing—and reliability comparable to ULA—Bruno has recently touted the Vulcan rocket's ability to maneuver over long periods in space as a differentiator. ArsTechnica, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
Critics dismissed it as an obvious move by the president or a political puff piece amid a flurry of executive orders and political maneuvers. Lee Igel, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025 Atlas boasts 28 degrees of freedom, allowing for complex movements and maneuvers. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maneuver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maneuver
Verb
  • It could be manipulated by the therapist or simply placed in the correct position by the individual.
    Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
  • This is not a new accusation and in the past Fauci and the paper authors disagreed with the accusations that the paper was manipulated or had any specific goal.
    Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • His special envoy to Ukraine set a goal of negotiating an agreement even quicker during the first 100 days of Trump's term.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Still, there’s a fine line between negotiating smartly and offending a seller.
    Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In March, two days of U.S. attacks killed more than 50 people, Houthi officials said.
    USA Today, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The company highlights one type of attack that is now targeting users and which is especially dangerous.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Other times, the responsible parties engage in active subterfuge.
    Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • His delivery of Mantel’s dialogue—modern, intelligent, bristling with implication and subterfuge—is mesmerizingly clear.
    Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • If the highest and broadest tariffs are avoided, U.S. farmers will likely be able to handle the impacts with only modest discomfort.
    Adam A. Millsap, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The writers delivered a masterclass in how to handle the unforeseen death of a central character, then did a superb job navigating not only Dan’s heartbreak, but his conflicted feelings about moving on with Louise.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lithos arranges for the dust to be collected at the rock quarries and transported to local farms.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The California Academy of Sciences and East Bay Regional Parks arranged for the whale to be towed to Angel Island State Park by a private towing service so that a necropsy could be conducted, according to a statement from the Marine Mammal Center and California Academy of Sciences.
    Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • Richie buys Harry's ruse regarding Tommy's murder, but there's a catch.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The wedding started as an elaborate three-way ruse concocted by Wai-Tung, a gay Taiwanese American man; his white boyfriend, Simon (Mitchell Lichtenstein); and Wei-Wei, an undocumented Chinese immigrant.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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