maneuver

(mə-nū'vər, -nyū'-)
n.

1. 1. A strategic or tactical military or naval movement.
   2. A large-scale tactical exercise carried out under simulated conditions of war. Often used in the plural.
2. A controlled change in movement or direction of a moving vehicle or vessel, as in the flight path of an aircraft.
3. A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.
4. 1. A strategic action undertaken to gain an end.
   2. Artful handling of affairs that is often marked by scheming and deceit. See synonyms at wile.

v., -vered, -ver·ing, -vers.

v.intr.

1. To carry out a military or naval maneuver.
2. To make a controlled series of changes in movement or direction toward an objective: maneuvered to get closer to the stage.
3. To shift ground; change tactics: The opposition had no room in which to maneuver.
4. To use stratagems in gaining an end.

v.tr.

1. To alter the tactical placement of (troops or warships).
2. To direct through a series of movements or changes in course: maneuvered the car through traffic.
3. To manipulate into a desired position or toward a predetermined goal: maneuvered him into signing the contract. See synonyms at manipulate.

[French manœuvre, from Old French maneuvre, manual work, from Medieval Latin manuopera, from Latin manū operārī, to work by hand : manū, ablative of manus, hand + operārī, to work.]

maneuverability ma·neu'ver·a·bil'i·ty n.
maneuverable ma·neu'ver·a·ble adj.
maneuverer ma·neu'ver·er n.

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is an American English variant of manoeuvre.

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noun

1. A method of deploying troops and equipment in combat: stratagem, tactic. See means.
2. A calculated change in position: evolution, move, movement, turn. See move/halt.
3. An action calculated to achieve an end: measure (often used in plural), move, procedure, step, tactic. See action/inaction.
4. An indirect, usually cunning means of gaining an end: artifice, deception, device, dodge, feint, gimmick, imposture, jig, ploy, ruse, sleight, stratagem, subterfuge, trick, wile. Informal shenanigan, take-in. See honest/dishonest, means.

verb

1. To go or cause to go from one place to another: move, remove, shift, transfer. See move/halt.
2. To direct the course of carefully: guide, jockey, navigate, pilot, steer. Idioms: back and fill. See control/uncontrol, move/halt.
3. To take clever or cunning steps to achieve one's goals: jockey. Informal finagle. Idioms: pullstringswires. See control/uncontrol, means.
4. To control to one's own advantage by artful or indirect means: exploit, manipulate, play. See control/uncontrol, straight/bent.

v

Definition: direct physically
Antonyms: leave alone

v

Definition: plan, scheme
Antonyms: neglect

n. 1. a movement to place ships or aircraft in a position of advantage over the enemy.

2. a tactical exercise carried out at sea, in the air, on the ground, or on a map in imitation of war.

3. the operation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle, to cause it to perform desired movements.

4. employment of forces on the battlefield through movement in combination with fire, or fire potential, to achieve a position of advantage in respect to the enemy in order to accomplish the mission.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

(DOD) 1. A movement to place ships, aircraft, or land forces in a position of advantage over the enemy. 2. A tactical exercise carried out at sea, in the air, on the ground, or on a map in imitation of war. 3. The operation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle, to cause it to perform desired movements. 4. Employment of forces in the battlespace through movement in combination with fires to achieve a position of advantage in respect to the enemy in order to accomplish the mission. See also mission; operation.

IN BRIEF: Any skillful change of movement or direction.

We lined up chairs in a pattern, creating an obstacle course through which the new Scouts, blindfolded, were supposed to maneuver. — Pierce Vincent Eckhart

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For a list of words related to maneuver, see:

• Types and Techniques of Warfare - maneuver: movement to place military supplies or personnel in advantageous position
• Mood and Intent - maneuver: change direction or position adroitly for specific purpose
• Strategy and Tactics - maneuver: (vb) employ clever stratagems or schemes to achieve an end; skillfully manipulate a person or situation to one’s advantage

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See words rhyming with "maneuverer."

Common misspelling(s) of maneuver

• manuever
• manouver