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
Officials hope that by analyzing the results of NASA's experiment, space agencies will be better positioned to repeat the maneuver. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025 Angel noticed the doctor was struggling and sprang into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver on Dimopoulos after the young employee learned the life-saving technique as a student at Proviso East High School in Maywood, Ill. Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Parson will be maneuvering the equipment through customs. Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025 Things like maneuvering a grocery cart, moving furniture, or placing a stack of dishes on the top shelf all tick the box. SELF, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maneuver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maneuver
Verb
  • But in addition to his reputation as a womanizer, Casanova was also a con man, a skilled liar who came from a family of actors and who over the course of his life manipulated and tricked countless people to maintain wealth and status.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Pushed to extremes While footage and photographs of starving Palestinians in Gaza have horrified audiences abroad, inside Israel they have been dismissed by many as manipulated or untrue.
    Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Democrats are also trying to pin the shutdown on Republicans, blaming Trump for not negotiating in good faith.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • During his campaign, Pacheco touted the board’s efforts to reduce drug costs for members by negotiating new agreements with healthcare companies.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The confirmation of drones over Germany comes as NATO's Denmark investigates a wave of drone disruption to its airports that officials have characterized as a hybrid attack, and coincides with Estonian, Polish, and Romanian accusations against Russia of serious airspace incursions.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Overseas activists have tried to deliver aid in the past to Gaza but have either been intercepted by Israeli forces or come under some form of attack.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The trial was a kangaroo circus packed with sophism, subterfuge, and courtroom chicanery.
    Manuel Muñoz, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Carrying it around feels more like lugging a speaker than a dainty portable gadget, but that handle makes moving it between rooms surprisingly manageable.
    Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Lindell handles very ugly, difficult matchups and usually comes out on top, regardless of who he’s partnered with.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The continual delays have led to many embarrassing moments, the most recent coming last Tuesday, when, after Barca officials told the media the Camp Nou was ready, the Barcelona city council arranged a press conference of their own in reply.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • For the Rolliefest finale, Hess and his team of organizers arranged a farewell cocktail party in the winter garden of the new private residences at the Waldorf Astoria, fresh off an almost-eight-year, multibillion dollar restoration.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The meeting came less than a week after investigators said 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford of Burton, a former Marine, crashed a pickup truck into the Grand Blanc ward of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before firing an assault-style rifle inside.
    Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The agents were reportedly performing a routine patrol in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago, when the alleged assault occurred.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • How could Russ possibly sustain this ruse?
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maneuver. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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