maneuver

especially British, ma·noeu·vre

[muh-noo-ver]

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

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

/ məˈnuːvə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of manoeuvre

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of maneuver¹

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

Many of the employees were Latino or Mexican, or maneuvered like veteran hospitality people, flipping tortillas and preparing salsas, or furiously mixing drinks.

From Los Angeles Times

Weeks of intense bombardment that all but leveled the Gaza Strip’s largest urban center made way for what Israeli military officials said was the ground maneuver phase of the operation to occupy the city.

From Los Angeles Times

Leavitt’s efforts to maneuver her way around the implications of the check photo were slick enough, but undermined by two important points.

From Salon

Both helicopters maneuvered for better line of sight in the hopes of reestablishing communication with the group supervisor, according to the report.

From Los Angeles Times

Bush handled the maneuver with aplomb and succeeded Ronald Reagan.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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