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
Three-point play Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) maneuvers past Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins (7) and Washington Mystics guard DiDi Richards (12) during the Washington Mystics-Indiana Fever WNBA game at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on June 7, 2024. Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 1 July 2025 Administration officials note budget caps might have blocked more spending anyway, but lawmakers used several accounting maneuvers to work around those, often collaborating on them with the governor. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025
Noun
Hearts of Darkness denies contrasts between the first world and the third world — the racial minefield that Apocalypse Now maneuvers almost matter-of-factly. Armond White, National Review, 4 July 2025 Trump is maneuvering to slash $1.1 billion for the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which funnels money to more than 1,500 public television and radio stations across the country. Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for maneuver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maneuver
Verb
  • The legislation was driven by concerns that the Chinese government could manipulate content and access sensitive data from American users.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 30 June 2025
  • His attorneys had argued that he was manipulated by Blanchard, a victim of Munchausen by proxy, to kill her mom and should have his charges reduced to second-degree murder, according to The Springfield News-Leader.
    Michael Nied, People.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • After putting together a career-best season, Norman Powell expected to negotiate a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers.
    Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • Derby has reportedly offered Charlotte FC an $8 million transfer fee, which if accepted, would allow the English club to negotiate with Agyemang on a contract.
    Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • From 21 March on, the gang launched attacks against several areas in the communes of Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite and Marchand Dessalines.
    Jacqueline Charles July 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
  • In one attack in late January, Russian drones hit an apartment complex in an overnight attack, killing nine people and injuring 13.
    Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The facility had been subject to sabotage and subterfuge by Israel for many years even before these attacks–including a computer virus that wrecked the centrifuges over a decade ago.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 26 June 2025
  • When the magazine writer Dylan (Daryl Wein) and his girlfriend and photographer, Lucy (Abigail Cowen), descend upon the rocker Milo (Jack Farthing), there’s subterfuge afoot.
    Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Hexagon's new humanoid robot is built to step into these tough environments, handling repetitive and error-prone tasks so businesses can keep things running smoothly and safely.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • Whereas Ober handled the struggles well early on, his last two turns were far more difficult on the pitcher.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • According to El País, Leyva traveled to the U.S. in April and tried to arrange meetings with high-profile Republicans including Florida U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
  • Similar to a puzzle, the goal is for kids to arrange the strings in a way that fits within the board’s pattern.
    Laura Lu, Parents, 30 June 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
  • Barriers lifted in advance, Mellor and his French Resistance passengers hurtled through at 80mph leaving guards little chance of spotting the night-time ruse.
    Iain Macauley, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The ruse, Smith suggested in her memoir, was employed successfully on at least one occasion.
    Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maneuver. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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