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

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

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

He turned to his playbook of doing just enough to protect and grow the business, a conservative strategy that has been on display this year with clever political and legal maneuvering and enticing new iPhones.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

So far, the partisan maneuvers appear to favor Republicans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Opponents view the proposition as a cynical political maneuver designed to eliminate Republican representation in California rather than as a legitimate response to national gerrymandering trends.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For one thing, they can be a logistical hassle: As diners gather for photos, other people are forced to maneuver around them.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I had always been right there for these discussions, but now this sort of strictly financial maneuvering seems to miss the most important question: What’s it all for?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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