maneuver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maneuver" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care, often in a strategic context. Example: "The driver had to maneuver the car carefully through the narrow streets to avoid hitting the parked vehicles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I play through one encounter three times trying to find a way to not die, learning to maneuver, to ambush, to hide.

The Guardian - Tech

It has become fashionable, in the past two years, for banks and fund managers to complain that QE was bad for them, that the Fed was vacuuming all the good bonds out of the market and leaving no room to maneuver.

The Guardian - Business

Haass: The old Middle East -- an era which I believe has only recently ended -- was one in which the United States enjoyed tremendous dominance and freedom of maneuver.

The Economist

The cottage is laid out as an open-plan apartment with a kitchen area (equipped with a microwave, small refrigerator and washer-dryer combo), a bed area and a bathroom large enough in which to maneuver a wheelchair.

The New York Times

This maneuver met with some success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Before the 1995 docking, a practice rendezvous was flown by the space shuttle Discovery in February to demonstrate the shuttle orbiter's ability to approach and maneuver safely around Mir.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A directionally unstable ship is easy to maneuver, while a stable ship requires less energy expenditure by its steering gear in maintaining a set course.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Stemming, as his steering moves were called, was performed by turning one ski to the side, in whichever direction the turn was intended, and quickly bringing the other ski into parallel position, a maneuver known as the stem Christiania.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the time of the earthquake, only two weeks from ceding power to her successor, Sebastián Piñera, Bachelet was beset by criticism that her initial reluctance to deploy the armed forces was a politically motivated maneuver to avoid echoing the regime of military dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For the purposes of competition, aerobatic maneuvers have been codified in the internationally accepted FAI Aerobatic Catalogue, which gives a point value to each maneuver.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This maneuver backfired when the assassination of Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex action or series of actions, use "maneuver" to convey skill, planning, and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "maneuver" when a simpler word like "move" or "handle" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "maneuver" functions both as a verb, denoting the act of skillfully directing movement, and as a noun, referring to a strategic or tactical action. Ludwig confirms its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "maneuver" is a versatile term, functioning as both a noun and a verb to describe strategic movements and actions. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including encyclopedias, news, and science. Its usage spans from describing literal physical movements to abstract tactical actions. While the word is versatile is is important to be aware of the level of formality requested: using it in simple contexts can make your writing sound pretentious. Overall, "maneuver" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit, provided it's used with precision and awareness of its connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

navigate skillfully

Focuses on the ability to move through a situation or environment with expertise.

execute a move

Focuses on the action of performing a specific move or action.

implement a strategy

Highlights the strategic aspect of planning and carrying out a plan.

carry out a tactic

Emphasizes the practical application of a specific tactic.

strategically position

Highlights the act of placing something or someone in a beneficial location.

tactically adjust

Emphasizes making small changes to gain an advantage.

devise a scheme

Focuses on planning a cunning or deceitful plan.

employ a workaround

Highlights the use of a method to overcome a problem or obstacle.

pull off a stunt

Emphasizes performing a difficult or impressive action.

exploit a loophole

Focuses on taking advantage of an ambiguity or inadequacy in a law or rule.

FAQs

How is "maneuver" typically used in a sentence?

The word "maneuver" can be used as both a verb, meaning to skillfully move something, or as a noun, referring to a clever or strategic action. For instance, "The pilot had to "maneuver" the plane carefully" (verb) or "That political "maneuver" was quite risky" (noun).

What are some alternatives to the word "maneuver"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "navigate", "steer", "guide", or "manipulate". For the noun form, consider "tactic", "strategy", or "ploy".

Which is more appropriate: "a clever maneuver" or "a clever tactic"?

Both "a clever "maneuver"" and "a clever "tactic"" are appropriate, but they have slightly different connotations. "Maneuver" often implies a more complex and skillful action, while "tactic" suggests a specific method used to achieve a goal.

What's the difference between "maneuver" and "manipulate"?

"Maneuver" generally implies skillful handling or movement, often in a strategic way. "Manipulate", on the other hand, often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that someone is controlling or influencing something or someone, often unfairly or deceptively.