maneuver

American  

[muh-noo-ver] / məˈnu vər /

especially British, manoeuvre

noun

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

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

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

4. an adroit move, skillful proceeding, etc., especially as characterized by craftiness; ploy.

   political maneuvers.

   Synonyms:

   plan, plot, scheme, procedure, artifice, ruse, tactic, stratagem

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verb (used with object)

maneuvered, maneuvering

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

2. to bring, put, drive, or make by maneuvers.

   He maneuvered his way into the confidence of the enemy.

   Synonyms:

   intrigue, contrive, scheme

3. to manipulate or manage with skill or adroitness.

   to maneuver a conversation.

   Synonyms:

   finesse, handle

4. to steer in various directions as required.

verb (used without object)

maneuvered, maneuvering

1. to perform a maneuver or maneuvers.

2. to scheme; intrigue.

   Synonyms:

   plan, plot

maneuver British  

/ məˈnuːvə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of manoeuvre

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Other Word Forms

• maneuverability noun
• maneuverable adjective
• maneuverer noun
• maneuvering noun
• unmaneuvered adjective

Etymology

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” ( operate ); replacing earlier maanorre “manual labor,” Middle French, as above

Example Sentences

This part of the journey will last approximately three or four days, punctuated by re-entry into the atmosphere -- one of the mission's most delicate maneuvers.

From Barron's

This unstable, indeterminate flickering sensation is what Mr. Lerner wants to evoke as he maneuvers his stories between the polarities of the real and the imaginary.

From The Wall Street Journal

The legal maneuvering continued for months, right up until an hour before they were set to enter a courtroom, at which point James relented.

From Los Angeles Times

Japan’s fortifications aim to protect the vulnerable islands, but they have an added advantage: They complicate China’s freedom of maneuver, Matsuda said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Operation Epic Fury will show if we are edging closer to the early air-power prophets’ vision or if air power in support of maneuvering ground forces remains the key to victory.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• action
• gimmick
• manipulation
• measure
• movement
• plot
• ploy
• procedure
• ruse
• scheme
• step
• stunt
• trick