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maneuver meaning and examples

2025-08-25

Meaning

Maneuver (also spelled manoeuvre in British English) has two main uses:

  1. As a noun: a planned or skillful movement or action, often to achieve a specific goal.
  2. As a verb: to move or guide something skillfully and carefully, especially in a difficult situation.

It is commonly used in military, driving, and strategy contexts.

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: noun & verb

  • Verb forms: maneuver – maneuvers – maneuvered – maneuvering

  • Patterns:

    • maneuver something into/out of place
    • maneuver through/around obstacles
    • a clever/political/business maneuver

Common Phrases

  • military maneuvers – large-scale exercises or strategic operations.
  • political maneuver – a strategic action in politics.
  • driving maneuver – a movement such as turning, parking, or overtaking.
  • maneuver around obstacles – to skillfully avoid or get past something.

Collocations

  • verb + maneuver: perform a maneuver, execute a maneuver, attempt a maneuver
  • adjective + maneuver: tricky maneuver, clever maneuver, dangerous maneuver
  • noun + maneuver: car maneuver, escape maneuver, military maneuver

Examples

  1. The pilot performed a difficult maneuver to avoid the storm.
  2. The company’s new pricing policy was seen as a smart business maneuver.
  3. Soldiers practiced various military maneuvers during training.
  4. He maneuvered the car into a tight parking space.
  5. She skillfully maneuvered the conversation away from sensitive topics.
  6. The chess player made a bold maneuver to gain an advantage.
  7. Political opponents accused him of a cynical maneuver to gain votes.
  • As a verb: steer, navigate, manipulate, handle, guide
  • As a noun: tactic, move, strategy, operation, action