maneuver

noun

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ma·neu·ver | \ mə-ˈnü-vər

, -ˈnyü- \

Definition of maneuver

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a military or naval movement

b : an armed forces training exercise especially : an extended and large-scale training exercise involving military and naval units separately or in combination —often used in plural The army and navy conducted maneuvers as training for war.

2 : a procedure or method of working usually involving expert physical movement acrobats performing dangerous maneuvers

3a : evasive movement or shift of tactics permits no room for concession or maneuver— Harry Schwartz

b : an intended and controlled variation from a straight and level flight path in the operation of an airplane The aircraft performed such maneuvers as spins, loops, and inverted flights.

4a : an action taken to gain a tactical end this maneuver almost cost him the nomination— H. L. Mencken

b : an adroit and clever management of affairs often using trickery and deception plaintiffs' pretrial maneuvers may be fashioned more with an eye to deterrence or retaliation than to unearthing germane material— John Marshall

maneuver

verb

maneuvered; maneuvering\ mə-ˈnü-və-riŋ

, -ˈnyü- ; -ˈn(y)üv-riŋ \

Definition of maneuver (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage The regiment maneuvered for several days before it was ready to attack.

b : to make a series of changes in direction and position for a specific purpose Ships maneuvered into their docks.

2 : to use stratagems : scheme maneuvered successfully to get him to ask her to the dance

transitive verb

1 : to cause to execute tactical movements We maneuvered our troops to the south.

2 : to manage into or out of a position or condition : manipulate maneuvered the cork out with his thumb— Kay Boyle

3a : to guide with adroitness and design maneuvered her guests until the talk at the table became general— Jean Statford

b : to bring about or secure as a result of skillful management maneuvered out of the council the funds to renovate the library

Other Words from maneuver Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About maneuver

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Other Words from maneuver

Verb

maneuverability \ mə-ˌnü-və-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē

, -ˌnyü- ; -ˌn(y)üv-rə- \ noun

maneuverable \ mə-ˈnü-və-rə-bəl

, -ˈnyü- ; -ˈn(y)üv-rə- \ adjective

maneuverer \ mə-ˈnü-vər-ər

, -ˈnyü- \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for maneuver

Noun

trick, ruse, stratagem, maneuver, artifice, wile, feint mean an indirect means to gain an end. trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end. the tricks of the trade ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression. the ruses of smugglers stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy. the stratagem-filled game maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty. last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention. the clever artifices of the stage wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements. used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent. a feint toward the enemy's left flank

Examples of maneuver in a Sentence

Noun With a quick maneuver, she avoided an accident. Through a series of legal maneuvers, the defense lawyer kept her client out of jail. He led his troops in a well-planned maneuver. To prepare for war, the army is performing maneuvers off the coast. The army is on maneuvers. Verb She maneuvered her car into the tiny garage. It took seven people to maneuver the tiger out of its cage. We had a hard time maneuvering our furniture through the doorway. The giant ships maneuvered into their docks. The vehicle easily maneuvered through rocky terrain. They held hands while maneuvering through the crowd. The companies are maneuvering for position in the limited market. Somehow, she always manages to maneuver herself out of difficult situations. We maneuvered our troops to the south. The opposing forces maneuvered quickly.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Ángel Sanz Briz was recognized as a Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust memorial and museum, in 1966 for using an ingenious legal maneuver to save more than 5,200 Jews from being deported to Auschwitz in 1944. — Orge Castellano, sun-sentinel.com, 6 Oct. 2021 In an unusual maneuver, the PLA began its flights at 3 a.m. on Monday, according to local media citing a social media account belonging to a Taiwanese military retiree who monitors military scanners. — Joyu Wang, WSJ, 5 Oct. 2021 This cake-and-eat-it-too maneuver blows a golden opportunity. — Jason Gay, WSJ, 17 June 2021 Banning chokeholds entirely would make this dangerous maneuver subject to prosecution, and improve the health and well-being of the community. — Van Jones, CNN, 19 Apr. 2021 Meanwhile, a pedestrian that turns toward the street or darts along is a potential danger that might require an evasive driving maneuver in the quick. — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 14 Sep. 2021 The co-worker suggested a physical restraint maneuver since the patient's anxiety was highly escalated, but Henderson did not use the proper technique, the complaint said. — Evan Frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2021 Chipman’s nomination deadlocked in the committee but was reported to the Senate for a floor vote through a parliamentary maneuver. — BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2021 Arkansas State Police troopers executed a Precision Immobilization Technique, maneuver on the car on U.S. 70 east in Saline County. — Steven Mross, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Advance Ohio, which operates and handles advertising for The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com, will use the Oct. 19 event to provide attendees with expert insights and knowledge to maneuver Medicare enrollment confidently. — Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 6 Oct. 2021 Nix was a magician against LSU, somehow finding a way to duck, maneuver and evade LSU defenders chasing him all night. — John Talty | Jtalty@al.com, al, 3 Oct. 2021 While many individuals have mastered the art of the TikTok sales pitch, established brands large and small have had to maneuver themselves to achieve virality on the app. — New York Times, 2 Oct. 2021 The 6-foot, 170-pound center-wing hybrid not only uses his speed to maneuver around opponents and set up plays but also has been a quick study in camp. — Phil Thompson, chicagotribune.com, 29 Sep. 2021 Amazon shoppers praise this vacuum for being lightweight, easy to carry and maneuver, and powerfully removing dirt and pet hair. — Lily Gray, PEOPLE.com, 28 Sep. 2021 Much like a robotaxi, the goal is for the eVTOL to maneuver itself by computer in the future in order to make the economics more viable. — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2021 The ability to maneuver around people safely should be easier in small, low-speed EVs than current ICE vehicles. — Rod Keller, Forbes, 21 Sep. 2021 The 31-year-old needed just 22 putts covering 69 feet to maneuver his way to the front of the pack. — Michael Wagaman, ajc, 19 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maneuver.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maneuver. Accessed 16 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for maneuver

maneuver

noun

English Language Learners Definition of maneuver

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a clever or skillful action or movement

: a planned movement of soldiers or ships

: military activities that are done for training

maneuver

verb

English Language Learners Definition of maneuver (Entry 2 of 2)

: to move (something or someone) in a careful and usually skillful way

: to do something in an effort to get an advantage, get out of a difficult situation, etc.

: to move (soldiers, ships, etc.) where they are needed for battle

See the full definition for maneuver in the English Language Learners Dictionary

maneuver

noun

ma·neu·ver | \ mə-ˈnü-vər

, -ˈnyü- \

Kids Definition of maneuver

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : skillful action or management The driver avoided an accident by a quick maneuver.

2 : a training exercise by armed forces

3 : a planned movement of troops or ships

maneuver

verb

maneuvered; maneuvering

Kids Definition of maneuver (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to guide skillfully Our captain maneuvered the boat safely into the harbor.

2 : to move troops or ships where they are needed

Other Words from maneuver

maneuverability \ mə-ˌnü-və-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē , -ˌnyü- \ noun

maneuverable \ -ˈnü-və-rə-bəl , -ˈnyü- \ adjective

maneuver

noun

ma·neu·ver

variants: or chiefly British manoeuvre \ mə-ˈn(y)ü-vər

Medical Definition of maneuver

1 : a movement, procedure, or method performed to achieve a desired result and especially to restore a normal physiological state or to promote normal function the simplest maneuver to actuate the normal eustachian tube is to swallow— H. G. Armstrong — see heimlich maneuver, valsalva maneuver

2 : a manipulation to accomplish a change of position specifically : rotational or other movement applied to a fetus within the uterus to alter its position and facilitate delivery — see scanzoni maneuver