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
The move led to criticism from select members of the media, including The View cohost Joy Behar, who spoke out against Clooney's decision from her post on the talk show, while Biden's son, Hunter, later slammed Clooney for the maneuver as well. EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025 The ship then closed its payload bay door and prepared to restart one of its six engines for a brief maneuver to test its ability to change its trajectory. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
But the comedy masterstroke is Lilith’s maneuvering to take an Uber home on her mother’s account. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025 This handheld vacuum is easy to maneuver thanks to its lightweight, wire-free design. Melody Kazel, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for maneuver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maneuver
Verb
  • When writers see and manipulate structure, words become poetry.
    Rebecca Coffey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Cyrus was quick to defend herself, implying her words had been manipulated by the Times.
    Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many of the examples are stark, like the Potawatomi Nation which had negotiated with the federal government in hopes of staying in their homelands in the upper Midwest.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Neighbors Settling down in the suburbs with their newborn, Kelly (Rose Byrne) and Mac (Seth Rogen) attempt to negotiate a quiet-hours pact with the frat house next door.
    James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As aid groups say famine has already taken hold, the assault risks the lives of remaining hostages—captured by Hamas in its October 2023 attack—while Netanyahu faces mounting political turmoil at home, even as Washington continues to hold Hamas responsible for prolonging the conflict.
    Amira El-Fekki‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Even when put under lighter sanctions in 2018, during the Salisbury chemical attack, claims of election interference, and criminal cyber operations continued.
    Earl Carr, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Maybe Payton’s running the best preseason subterfuge campaign ever to make Estime look bad on film.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
  • On the other side of this triangle, Conrad has his own Belly-management system, which relies heavily on subterfuge and mostly comes down to attempts to feed her.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever handles the ball during the first half of the WNBA game at PHX Arena on August 07, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • This student’s outbursts had been an ongoing issue for three years, and Elliot quickly realized that few teachers had received the necessary restraint training to handle this student.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Latest section, on the other hand, arranges posts and reels in chronological order, with the most recent ones appearing first.
    Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Around the country, arranging for housing is a relatively new and growing challenge for such PACE groups, which are funded through Medicaid and Medicare.
    Felice J. Freyer, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Investigators later confirmed his DNA matched evidence from that case and others, including attacks in Okemos, Michigan, in 1994; Birmingham, Michigan, in 1995; and Columbus, Ohio, in 1997, as well as two assaults in Ventura in the early 1980s.
    Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Though Smith was charged with four counts of assault for scaring and endangering the villagers, troopers did not say he was involved in his mother’s death.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Today’s shortsighted, sellout city politicians are killing the golden goose under the ruse that affordable housing is the be-all and the end-all of life in San Diego.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The agent, keeping up the ruse, continued to push her on the phone for several minutes.
    Lauren del Valle, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maneuver. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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