maneuver

[ muh-noo-ver ]

/ məˈnu vər /

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See synonyms for: maneuver / maneuvered / maneuvering / maneuverability on Thesaurus.com

noun

a planned and regulated movement or evolution of troops, warships, etc.

maneuvers, a series of tactical exercises usually carried out in the field by large bodies of troops in simulating the conditions of war.

an act or instance of changing the direction of a moving ship, vehicle, etc., as required.

an adroit move, skillful proceeding, etc., especially as characterized by craftiness; ploy: political maneuvers.

verb (used with object), ma·neu·vered, ma·neu·ver·ing.

to change the position of (troops, ships, etc.) by a maneuver.

to bring, put, drive, or make by maneuvers: He maneuvered his way into the confidence of the enemy.

to manipulate or manage with skill or adroitness: to maneuver a conversation.

to steer in various directions as required.

verb (used without object), ma·neu·vered, ma·neu·ver·ing.

to perform a maneuver or maneuvers.

to scheme; intrigue.

OTHER WORDS FOR maneuver

4 stratagem, tactic, ruse, artifice; procedure, scheme, plot, plan.

6 scheme, contrive, intrigue.

7 handle, finesse.

10 plot, plan.

See synonyms for maneuver on Thesaurus.com

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Also especially British, ma·noeu·vre .

Origin of maneuver

First recorded in 1470–80 for an earlier sense; 1750–60 for current noun sense; from French manoeuvre, Middle French manuevre “handwork,” derivative of Old French manuvrer, from Latin manū operāre “to do handwork,” equivalent to manū (ablative of manus “hand”) + operāre “to work” (see operate); replacing earlier maanorre “manual labor,” Middle French, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM maneuver

ma·neu·ver·a·ble, adjectivema·neu·ver·a·bil·i·ty, nounma·neu·ver·er, nounun·ma·neu·vered, adjective

Words nearby maneuver

manège, manes, Manet, Manet, Edouard, Manetho, maneuver, maneuverable, Man fern, man flu, Manfredini, man Friday

How to use maneuver in a sentence

The Falcon 9 also does not execute a belly-flop maneuver like the Starships do.
SpaceX Starships keep exploding, but it’s all part of Elon Musk’s plan|Erik Olsen|February 17, 2021|Popular Science
For lower speeds, and to maximize lift, the wings are moved forward, and for faster speeds and more tactical maneuvers, they’d be angled backwards.
This year’s Super Bowl flyover will be unlike any other|Rob Verger|February 5, 2021|Popular Science
After its engines shut down, the stainless-steel spacecraft, performed a “belly flop” maneuver, falling horizontally through the atmosphere.
SpaceX violated its launch license during December’s Starship test flight, prompting the FAA to order an investigation|Christian Davenport|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
His response reflected a fundamental misunderstanding of the banned maneuver.
Still Can’t Breathe|by Topher Sanders, ProPublica, and Yoav Gonen, THE CITY, video by Lucas Waldron, ProPublica|January 21, 2021|ProPublica

After just a few seconds, the spacecraft would execute the go part of the touch-and-go maneuver, backing away with its sample secured.
NASA's OSIRIS-REx Probe Punched an Asteroid in the Name of Science. Here's What the Mission Could Teach Us|Jeffrey Kluger|October 22, 2020|Time
Once discovered, this maneuver did not endear the councilors to their constituents.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
I try to stay sober enough to maneuver back to West Hollywood.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In battle, it means the ability to shift from suicide bombers to tank columns and maneuver warfare in the span of a day.
Has ISIS Peaked as a Military Power?|Jacob Siegel|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The soldiers there made no efforts to maneuver and confront ISIS.
The Paper Tiger of the Tigris: How ISIS Took Tikrit Without a Fight|Andrew Slater|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The aim of this exercise, one has to believe, is to maneuver Moscow into the circle of good global citizenship.
Let's Take Away the 2018 World Cup from Putin's Russia|Tunku Varadarajan|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Only by a nimble maneuver did I escape being tripped; but it was heartening to know Patricia could respond to my needs.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
I did not try to interfere with his maneuver, but settled myself solidly to hold him from escaping.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
They were within easy arrow range, and the Sioux instantly realized the significance of the maneuver.
Three Sioux Scouts|Elmer Russell Gregor
He realized that the maneuver would cause delay and confusion, and might betray them to the Pawnees.
Three Sioux Scouts|Elmer Russell Gregor
At least, his job was done; now to execute that classic infantry maneuver described as, "Let's get the hell outa here."
Hunter Patrol|Henry Beam Piper and John J. McGuire

British Dictionary definitions for maneuver

maneuver

/ (məˈnuːvə) /

noun, verb

the usual US spelling of manoeuvre

Derived forms of maneuver

maneuverable, adjectivemaneuverability, nounmaneuverer, nounmaneuvering, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for maneuver

maneuver

[ mə-nōō′vər ]

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

To manipulate into a desired position or toward a predetermined goal.

maneuver

OTHER WORDS FOR maneuver

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Origin of maneuver

OTHER WORDS FROM maneuver

Words nearby maneuver

Words related to maneuver

How to use maneuver in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for maneuver

Derived forms of maneuver

Medical definitions for maneuver