maneuver 1 of 2

verb

Definition of maneuvernext
1
as in to manipulate
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently maneuvered the conversation so as to avoid the touchy subject of her divorce

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care successfully maneuvered a way to get him to ask her to the dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

maneuver

2 of 2

noun

1
as in attack

Related Words
2
as in subterfuge

Related Words

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
On top of working long hours in blistering heat and returning to a heat island, many Latinos then must maneuver the issue of older housing. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 That outsider status, some former advisors and close watchers of Carney say, is precisely what gives him room to maneuver, with Canadians seeing him as above the grubby backroom dealing of traditional politics. — Desiree Adib, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
Just seconds later, in a separate incident, the Brazilian F50 was about to go into a standard jibe maneuver (turning the boat through the wind to change direction) but disintegrated in the blink of an eye. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 In a common legislative maneuver, the authors expected to gut the existing language, amend it to reflect the deal to adjust the tax credit cap, then pass it out of the Assembly and send it back to the Senate for a concurrence. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maneuver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maneuver
  1. manipulate
  2. negotiate
  3. attack
  4. subterfuge
  5. handle
  6. arrange
  7. assault
  8. ruse
Verb
  • Last Wednesday, Meta reached a settlement with the attorneys general of forty-seven states, who had sued it for illegally manipulating the attention of children.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The finding could matter for quantum computers, where lasers are used to manipulate qubits and even tiny changes in their interactions can affect the accuracy of quantum operations.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of manipulate
Verb
  • As Kroenke and Moreno negotiated a sale, change was already underway.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ironically, the aesthetic language of the old colonial overlords helped negotiate between conflicting sensitivities and aspirations.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of negotiate
Noun
  • The country's armed forces said that it was targeted by a missile attack that originated from Iranian territory.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • The cover art sets it up perfectly, a dreamlike subterfuge that transforms the Villarreals into mythological Greek heroines.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The subterfuge involved him stowing away in an airport catering container to sneak onto the jet.
    — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of subterfuge
Verb
  • Loading silverware handles down and usable ends up ensures maximum cleanliness but may lead to accidents.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Sánchez is facing mounting scrutiny amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, where the flood of thousands of migrants has angered residents in the tiny community, which is ill-equipped to handle such an influx.
    — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of handle
Verb
  • The case turned into a years-long legal saga, with multiple people convicted of their roles in arranging the hit, including Wendi’s brother, Charlie Adelson, and her mother, Donna.
    — Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Britain’s populist Reform UK said two senior aides to leader Nigel Farage stepped down on Friday after an undercover investigation alleged the party had broken electoral law by arranging for a foreign donor to pay for political polling.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of arrange
Noun
  • After his discharge, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Hurtados have continued to experience emotional distress from the assault and its aftermath, according to the lawsuit.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • And Billie and Greg’s ongoing ruse is classic sitcom fodder, even if there’s not much to it besides wanting to keep Samir happy.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Decoy Plane, a documentary chronicling the ruse, on Friday, September 4.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of ruse

Browse Nearby Words

manes
maneuver
maneuver (around)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maneuver. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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