manoeuvre
Americannoun
noun
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a contrived, complicated, and possibly deceptive plan or action
political manoeuvres
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a movement or action requiring dexterity and skill
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a tactic or movement of one or a number of military or naval units
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(plural) tactical exercises, usually on a large scale
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a planned movement of an aircraft in flight
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any change from the straight steady course of a ship
verb
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(tr) to contrive or accomplish with skill or cunning
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(intr) to manipulate situations, etc, in order to gain some end
to manoeuvre for the leadership
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(intr) to perform a manoeuvre or manoeuvres
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to move or deploy or be moved or deployed, as military units, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of manoeuvre
C15: from French, from Medieval Latin manuopera manual work, from Latin manū operāre to work with the hand
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Britain's finance minister John Healey will unveil his first budget Wednesday, as he juggles commitments to defence spending and easing household bills with little financial room to manoeuvre.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
However, El Mansouri's room for manoeuvre is shaped by the country's political system.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
The movement's leader Khalil al-Hayaa lives in Qatar and has tried to manoeuvre diplomatically to Hamas's advantage.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
Both the Swiss government and parliament have rejected the proposal, arguing it is too dogmatic and would limit the country's room for manoeuvre at a time of soaring geopolitical tensions.
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
However, this was only a light skirmishing manoeuvre, intended to create a little disorder, and the men easily drove the geese off with their sticks.
From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell
According to the UK defence source, the Russian frigate appeared to have been "drifting rather than being manoeuvred under power, which may have made her feel more vulnerable".
From Barron's ● Jun. 16, 2026
The report includes accounts of a series of sightings and investigations in Sandia, New Mexico, where witnesses described how UFO's manoeuvred, flew away and disappeared but then exploded.
From BBC ● May 22, 2026
With a steady hand, she manoeuvred a huge wind turbine section, five metres in diameter, across the yard.
From Barron's ● Mar. 7, 2026
The Sydney-born player was brimming with confidence as he manoeuvred his way through the first set, fending off five break points before striking at 4-4 and serving it out.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2024
He manoeuvred the ship over the ruins of Epidaurus.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Ex-health minister Wes Streeting, also manoeuvring for the top job, said Tuesday the prime minister should be given "space over the weekend" to consider his future.
From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026
It's this manoeuvring that put Lee Jae-yong in jail.
From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026
As for Tuesday's fatal incident, near Chios, much of the Greek media has been amplifying the story that the migrant speedboat was manoeuvring dangerously and would not stop.
From BBC ● Feb. 4, 2026
For months however, factions within the ZANU-PF have been manoeuvring for the extension.
From Barron's ● Oct. 18, 2025
The Nazis are manoeuvring him like a pawn.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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