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
O'Donnell continued in the podcast interview, referencing the show's behind-the-scenes maneuver. Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025 Just before touching down, DART performs a pitch-leveling maneuver, which straightens its flight angle and ensures all four legs make even contact. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
In response to these concerns, SpaceX has changed the reflectivity of some of its satellites, and the company continues to emphasize that the Starlinks can be maneuvered in case of trouble. Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Want a system that gives insiders more room to maneuver and the public less insight and transparency into what’s going on? Richard Torrenzano, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maneuver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maneuver
Verb
  • Because there’s no route concept here, no trying to manipulate a defense with a quarterback’s eyes, or with misdirection, or by flooding a zone.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • There’s been no improvement in their real economy despite a stock market that seems manipulated higher, a la 2016.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Hammon says Phoenix is now a destination franchise that should be attractive to any free agent when the cloud of negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement is lifted.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Syria is in a vulnerable place and is not in position to negotiate from strength, especially as Sharaa tries to open Syria to the Western world, boost its economy and bring back the civil war refugees from neighboring countries.
    Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The Islamists were seen as complicit in India’s worst plane hijack in 1999 and the 2008 attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul, which killed several Indian citizens, including two senior diplomats.
    Happymon Jacob, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Shannon will man larger perimeter players, but not necessarily the point of attack as often.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the end, the subterfuge with Priester served merely as a subplot.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The act of subterfuge was particularly common in the 2000s, amidst America’s unpopular foreign policy and the country’s invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq.
    Vivian Song, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In August, a lawsuit accused OpenAI of encouraging a teenager’s suicide, intensifying scrutiny around how ChatGPT handles mental health interactions.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025
  • While there were explosive offensive plays that contributed to this Falcons victory, their defense being able to handle Bills quarterback Josh Allen was just as important at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In a feat of logistics, the production miraculously arranged the shooting schedule so that every principal actor’s final scene on the show was also their last day of filming — something the Duffers have been freshly reliving again and again in the edit bay.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
  • However, for years, police suspected that Charles arranged the murder of Markel.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The military campaign appeased his far-right coalition partners, who called to expand Israel’s assault on Gaza and dreamed of fully re-occupying the territory.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • My shame is fed on a steady diet of videos and images that have been arriving without warning to my phone—ever since October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out a brutal assault on Israel and Israel responded with a devastating bombardment of Gaza.
    Reem Kassis, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Many suspect a spam call and don't pick up the phone, leading foundation staff to sometimes devise ruses.
    Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • But authorities now believe Speight made the whole story up — and even shot himself as part of a ruse.
    Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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