Maneuver Definition and Meaning
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Published on July 1, 2025
Maneuver is a carefully planned or skillful move or series of moves, often used in a military or skillful context. e.g., The chess player executed a brilliant maneuver to checkmate his opponent.
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Maneuver Definitions
A movement requiring skill and care, especially in a vehicle.
The driver's quick maneuver avoided a potential accident.
The act of directing something through a planned path.
The pilot maneuvered the plane through the turbulent skies.
To navigate through a complex situation.
She maneuvered through the legal complexities with ease.
A movement or combination of movements involving skill and dexterity
A gymnastics maneuver.
A controlled change in movement or direction of a moving vehicle or vessel, as in the flight path of an aircraft.
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A strategic or tactical military or naval movement.
Often maneuvers A large-scale tactical exercise carried out under simulated conditions of war.
A skillful or cunning action undertaken to gain an end
"the canny maneuvers of a man after money and ease" (Cynthia Ozick).
The undertaking of such actions
"a skilled diplomat's eye for maneuver" (Garry Wills).
To make a controlled series of changes in movement or direction toward an objective
Maneuvered to get closer to the stage.
To carry out a military or naval maneuver.
To act with skill or cunning in gaining an end
The opposition maneuvered to force a vote.
To move or direct through a series of movements or changes in course
Maneuvered the drill into position.
Maneuvered the car through traffic.
To alter the tactical placement of (troops or warships).
To manipulate into a desired position or toward a predetermined goal
Maneuvered him into signing the contract.
(military) The planned movement of troops, vehicles etc.; a strategic repositioning; later also a large training field-exercise of fighting units.
The army was on maneuvers.
Joint NATO maneuvers are as much an exercise in diplomacy as in tactics and logistics.
Any strategic or cunning action; a stratagem.
A movement of the body, or with an implement, instrument etc., especially one performed with skill or dexterity.
(medicine) A specific medical or surgical movement, often eponymous, done with the doctor's hands or surgical instruments.
The otorhinolaryngologist performed an Epley maneuver and the patient was relieved of his vertigo.
A controlled (especially skillful) movement taken while steering a vehicle.
Parallel parking can be a difficult maneuver.
(ambitransitive) To move (something, or oneself) carefully, and often with difficulty, into a certain position.
To guide, steer, manage purposefully
To intrigue, manipulate, plot, scheme
The patriarch maneuvered till his offspring occupied countless key posts
Management; dexterous movement; specif., a military or naval evolution, movement, or change of position.
Management with address or artful design; adroit proceeding; stratagem.
To perform a movement or movements in military or naval tactics; to make changes in position with the intention of getting an advantage in attack or defense.
To make changes in one's approach to solving a problem, so as to achieve maximum advantage in a changing situation; - used especially in competitive situations, as in politics, diplomacy, or sports.
To manage with address or art; to scheme.
To change the positions of, as of troops of ships.
A military training exercise
A plan for attaining a particular goal
A deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill;
He made a great maneuver
The runner was out on a play by the shortstop
A move made to gain a tactical end
An action aimed at evading an opponent
Direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
Act in order to achieve a certain goal;
He maneuvered to get the chairmanship
She maneuvered herself into the directorship
Perform a movement in military or naval tactics in order to secure an advantage in attack or defense
A strategic action aimed at achieving a specific goal.
The company's maneuver to enter the Asian market was successful.
A tactical exercise in military training.
The troops were awake at dawn for the maneuver.
To manipulate someone or something to achieve a desired outcome.
He maneuvered the conversation to his advantage.
A series of changes in position or strategy in a game or competition.
Her maneuvers during the debate impressed the judges.
A planned and regulated movement or evolution of troops, warships, etc.
The naval fleet's maneuver was a sight to behold.
An action aimed at evading or deceiving an opponent.
His maneuver in the boxing ring dodged a knockout punch.
To handle or manage with skill.
He maneuvered the delicate negotiations with care.
Maneuver Snonyms
Strategy
A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.
Their strategy for the marketing campaign was meticulously planned.
Gambit
An action or strategy calculated to gain an advantage, especially at the outset of a situation.
His opening gambit in the chess game was aggressive and unexpected.
Play
A move, series of moves, or strategy in a game or sport.
The quarterback's play turned the game around.
Maneuvering
Skillful or artful management.
His maneuvering at the board meeting secured his position as CEO.
Tactic
A method or strategy planned to achieve a specific end.
His tactic in negotiations was always to start with high demands.
Operation
A planned activity involving many people performing various actions.
The military operation involved complex maneuvers and strategies.
Ploy
A cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage.
Her ploy to win the client's favor involved many compliments.
Scheme
A large-scale systematic plan or arrangement for attaining some particular object or putting a particular idea into effect.
The architect's scheme for the new building was innovative and bold.
Ruse
An action intended to deceive someone; a trick.
The undercover agent used a clever ruse to gather information.
Trick
A cunning or skillful act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone.
He pulled a trick on his colleagues as a part of the office prank.
Maneuver Idioms & Phrases
Pull off a maneuver
To successfully execute a complex or difficult strategy.
He managed to pull off a maneuver that saved the company from bankruptcy.
Opening maneuver
The first strategy or action taken in a process.
His opening maneuver was to secure support from key stakeholders.
Maneuver into position
To move into a strategic position.
The chess player maneuvered his queen into position to threaten checkmate.
Right-hand maneuver
A driving technique where one turns right.
She made a quick right-hand maneuver to avoid the roadblock.
Diplomatic maneuver
An action or decision in diplomacy aimed at achieving a specific result.
The ambassador's diplomatic maneuver smoothed tensions between the two countries.
Counter maneuver
An action taken to oppose or negate another's maneuver.
The general ordered a counter maneuver to regain lost ground.
Complex maneuver
An action that is complicated and requires careful planning.
The stunt pilot performed a complex maneuver that awed the crowd.
Maneuver out of trouble
To extricate oneself from a difficult situation using clever actions.
He managed to maneuver out of trouble during the interrogation.
Defensive maneuver
An action or strategy designed to defend or protect.
The team's defensive maneuver stopped the opponents from scoring.
Evasive maneuver
An action taken to avoid danger or evade pursuit.
The driver executed an evasive maneuver to escape the chasing police car.
Maneuver through bureaucracy
To navigate through complex administrative procedures.
It took months to maneuver through bureaucracy to get the necessary approvals.
Political maneuver
A move made in a political context to gain advantage or power.
The senator's political maneuver gained him significant media coverage.
Covert maneuver
A hidden or secretive action aimed at achieving a particular end without attracting attention.
The spy's covert maneuver involved infiltrating the enemy's headquarters.
Maneuver for advantage
To act in a way that is intended to gain a beneficial position or outcome.
The competitors maneuvered for advantage as the market shifted.
Final maneuver
The last planned move in a series that is intended to secure success.
His final maneuver in the negotiation was to offer a compromise that appealed to both sides.
Maneuver under pressure
To perform or operate successfully despite being under significant stress.
The pilot had to maneuver under pressure after one of the engines failed.
Maneuver past obstacles
To overcome challenges or difficulties by clever planning or action.
She maneuvered past all obstacles to win the scholarship.
Maneuver Example Sentences
The general commanded his troops to maneuver to the left.
She learned how to maneuver her new bike on the busy streets.
You need to maneuver the joystick gently to control the drone.
Learning to maneuver in social situations can be tough for some.
The driver had to maneuver quickly to avoid hitting the stray dog.
His adept maneuver at the negotiation table impressed everyone.
The politician's ability to maneuver through complex issues made him popular.
The pilot performed a daring maneuver during the air show.
It was a risky maneuver, but it paid off in the end.
She managed to maneuver herself into a position of influence within the company.
We watched in awe as the gymnast executed a perfect maneuver on the beam.
They had to carefully maneuver the large furniture through the narrow hallway.
To maneuver in such tight spaces requires a lot of skill.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in maneuver?
The stressed syllable in "maneuver" is the second syllable: "neu".
How many syllables are in maneuver?
Maneuver has three syllables.
How do we divide maneuver into syllables?
Maneuver is divided into syllables as: ma-neu-ver.
Why is it called maneuver?
The term "maneuver" comes from the French word "manœuvre", which means "handwork" or "manual operation", reflecting the skill and planning involved in executing maneuvers.
How is maneuver used in a sentence?
Maneuver is often used to describe a skillful or strategically planned move, e.g., The captain had to maneuver the ship through the narrow canal.
What is the root word of maneuver?
The root word of "maneuver" is the French "manœuvre", which itself comes from Latin roots meaning "hand" (manus) and "to work" (operari).
What is the third form of maneuver?
The third form of maneuver is also "maneuvered".
What is the pronunciation of maneuver?
Maneuver is pronounced as /məˈnuː.vər/.
What is the second form of maneuver?
The second form of maneuver is "maneuvered".
What is another term for maneuver?
Another term for maneuver is "tactic".
What is the verb form of maneuver?
The verb form of maneuver is also "maneuver", as in "to maneuver".
Is maneuver a noun or adjective?
Maneuver is primarily a noun and a verb, not an adjective.
Is maneuver an abstract noun?
No, maneuver as a noun refers to concrete actions or strategies, not abstract qualities.
Is the maneuver term a metaphor?
The term can be used metaphorically, particularly in contexts like business or politics, to describe complex strategies.
Is the word maneuver a Gerund?
When used as a noun, maneuver is not a gerund; when used as a verb, it can form a gerund, "maneuvering".
Is the word “maneuver” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Maneuver" can be a direct object in sentences where it is the thing being performed, e.g., "He executed a maneuver."
What is the first form of maneuver?
The first form of maneuver is "maneuver", as it is a regular verb.
What is the singular form of maneuver?
The singular form is "maneuver".
What is the opposite of maneuver?
The opposite of maneuver might be considered "blunder", referring to an unskillful or clumsy move.
Is maneuver a collective noun?
No, maneuver is not typically considered a collective noun.
What is the plural form of maneuver?
The plural form is "maneuvers".
Is maneuver a vowel or consonant?
Maneuver starts with a consonant.
Is the word maneuver imperative?
Maneuver can be used in the imperative form in commands, e.g., "Maneuver to the right!"
Which determiner is used with maneuver?
Determiners like "a", "the", "each" can be used with maneuver, e.g., "a complex maneuver."
What part of speech is maneuver?
Maneuver can be used both as a noun and a verb.
Is maneuver an adverb?
No, maneuver is not used as an adverb.
Is maneuver a negative or positive word?
Maneuver is a neutral word; its positive or negative connotation depends on the context in which it is used.
Which vowel is used before maneuver?
Typically, the vowel "a" is used before maneuver, as in "a maneuver".
Which preposition is used with maneuver?
Common prepositions used with maneuver include "through", "into", and "around", e.g., "maneuver through obstacles."
Which article is used with maneuver?
The indefinite article "a" or the definite article "the" can be used with maneuver, depending on the context, e.g., "a maneuver" or "the maneuver".
Is maneuver a countable noun?
Yes, maneuver is a countable noun.
Which conjunction is used with maneuver?
Conjunctions like "and", "or", and "but" can be used, e.g., "maneuver and adapt."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
