maneuver

noun

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

Voters took action in 2016 to block the most egregious uses of that legislative maneuver, requiring bills be available for public inspection at least 72 hours before any final vote. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: California’s rent costs, privacy and vaccine rules take the spotlight in Sacramento," 12 Aug. 2019 With 17 major league teams within at least four games of a playoff spot, and no potential for August waiver-wire maneuvers, this year’s deadline wars will not be won by the timid. — John Shipley, Twin Cities, "John Shipley: Fixing bullpen is imperative and Twins must be bold," 26 July 2019 In a statement, the North’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of violating the spirit of negotiations between President Trump and dictator Kim Jong Un by proceeding with military maneuvers scheduled for next month. — Washington Post, "North Korea hints it may resume nuclear testing, accuses U.S. of reneging on pact," 18 July 2019 In a statement, the North's Foreign Ministry accused the United States of violating the spirit of negotiations between President Donald Trump and dictator Kim Jong Un by proceeding with military maneuvers scheduled for next month. — Min Joo Kim, Anchorage Daily News, "North Korea hints it may resume nuclear testing, accuses U.S. of reneging on pact," 16 July 2019 Aided by all the toys at his command, Woody launches a military maneuver to bring the car back, a Navy SEAL type operation that serves to show off just how talented Pixar’s animators are. — Kenneth Turan, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: ‘Toy Story 4’ grows up but still keeps the joy of toys," 20 June 2019 Neither amount would’ve been enough to conduct a large-scale, brutal fight with Iran, which means mobilizing only 1,000 troops this time is more of a political signal than a military maneuver. — Alex Ward, Vox, "The US is sending 1,000 more troops to the Middle East to counter Iran," 18 June 2019 Aided by all the toys at his command, Woody launches a military maneuver to bring the car back, a Navy SEAL type operation that serves to show off just how talented Pixar’s animators are. — Kenneth Turan, latimes.com, "Review: ‘Toy Story 4’ grows up but still keeps the joy of toys," 13 June 2019 While complex military maneuvers might still require a standard graphics UI, Star Trek proves that the future of personal computing is all about voice user interface (VUI). — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "Google Just Proved That Our Voice Is the Ultimate UI," 7 May 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Slashing it 100 basis points would lower this rate to 1.25%, giving them very little additional wiggle room to maneuver if a full-fledged recession began. — Damian Paletta | The Washington Post, oregonlive.com, "White House floats temporary payroll tax cut to stave off recession," 19 Aug. 2019 Slashing it 100 basis points would lower this rate to 1.25%, giving them very little additional wiggle room to maneuver if a full-fledged recession began. — Damian Paletta, The Denver Post, "White House officials eye payroll tax cut in effort to reverse weakening economy," 19 Aug. 2019 Now, this gives conservatives — who are at present, at best, adrift on Social Security policy — some room to maneuver. — Andrew G. Biggs, National Review, "How the Democrats’ Social Security Plan Could Finance a Tax Cut," 15 Aug. 2019 Scott, interviewed here, is still amazed that Armstrong could not only figure out what happened but could maneuver his body to get to the correct switch under those hellish conditions. — Kenneth Turan, Twin Cities, "‘Armstrong’ documentary examines the man behind the moon landing," 16 July 2019 Scott, interviewed here, is still amazed that Armstrong could not only figure out what happened but could maneuver his body to get to the correct switch under those hellish conditions. — Kenneth Turan, latimes.com, "Review: ‘Armstrong’ examines the man behind the moon landing," 11 July 2019 Kline’s team will later maneuver the siren into a wet sock, take a clipping of its tail fin for genetic analysis in the lab, then photograph it to analyze the unique markings on its head. — Asher Elbein, Washington Post, "An unintended consequence of more fencing at the border? It might make it harder to identify a new salamander species.," 18 June 2019 At the drop site, the drone or ground controller can maneuver the aircraft to perform a precision delivery of water or fire retardant. — Allison Barrie, Fox News, "A military helicopter drone that can fight wildfires," 9 Aug. 2018 Was there other music that helped you maneuver your transition? — Stephen Daw, Billboard, "Brody Ray on His Emotional 'America's Got Talent' Audition: 'It Was So Validating for Me'," 29 June 2018

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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Dictionary Entries near maneuver

Statistics for maneuver

Last Updated

11 Sep 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for maneuver

The first known use of maneuver was in 1759

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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