manipulate

verb

mə-ˈni-pyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce manipulate (audio)
Definition of manipulatenext
1
as in to exploit
to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means the con man would slyly manipulate the emotions of his marks in order to win their sympathy and trust

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to manage
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently spin doctors manipulating the data to make it seem more favorable to their preferred candidates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care manipulated the schedule of presidential primaries so that the choice of the party elders would win the nomination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of manipulate The study from August found that many models may avoid generating content around familiar conspiracies, but can generally be manipulated into creating misleading material. — Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026 In both films, everything comes in threes, the incessant crosscutting is accorded a flashy metaphysical weight, and time itself is manipulated, distorted, and rearranged to the point of meaninglessness. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026 Fake celebrity endorsements, manipulated videos and fraudulent holiday giveaways can make questionable offers appear legitimate. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026 The image was manipulated by artificial intelligence and posted by a Colombian artist, according to Brazilian fact-checking outlet Agência Lupa. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
  1. exploit
  2. manage
  3. negotiate
  4. deceive
  5. handle
  6. arrange
  7. address
  8. engineer
Verb
  • These are working-class teachers who are victims of the class struggle, and they are being exploited by the university.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The department wants companies to maintain strong internal controls that prevent advanced systems from being exploited.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of exploit
Verb
  • The Rams still managed to rack up 513 yards of offense on the Broncos, including several big plays in which a Rams receiver was wide open, or several Bronco defenders missed tackles that turned a short gain into a big play.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2026
  • And our research at Xero shows that owners spend nearly 22 hours a month on finance alone—just tracking and managing money.
    — Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • This arrangement combines a larger front wheel for negotiating uneven surfaces with smaller overall proportions suited to tighter riding environments.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • According to various reports, Joe went out and negotiated a new contract without telling Troy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of negotiate
Verb
  • But don’t be deceived, these are not primarily poems of the body, though the animal body–the dog, the human, meat– return throughout.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The first rule of thumb—and a solid piece of advice to live by—is that looks can be deceiving.
    — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of deceive
Verb
  • However, the designer needed some time off, if not entirely detached, from the whirlwind of handling a fashion megabrand.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Democratic staffers on the Senate Finance Committee intend to home in on how high-ranking executives at JPMorgan handled Epstein, a source familiar with the panel's thinking told CNBC on Thursday.
    — Eamon Javers,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of handle
Verb
  • The displays can be arranged in either landscape or portrait orientation, depending on your preferences.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Paddle surf excursions can be booked via the concierge, as well as leather workshops, wine or olive oil tastings, vineyard tours, and boat trips—all are arranged via local third-party companies to ensure the most authentic experience possible.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of arrange
Verb
  • Following a community meeting attended by more than 200 Laramie County residents, Google and its partners are establishing a Community Council to address concerns about the effects of data center expansion on Cheyenne and surrounding communities.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Caltrans has tried for years to address Highway 39’s long-term future.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of address
Verb
  • The researchers plan to improve heat transfer, develop more energy-efficient actuation systems, and engineer higher-performance shape-memory alloys.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In this way, organoids that are engineered to represent the brain, for example, can be modeled after distinct regions, with different types of neurons capable of signaling across regions.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of engineer

Browse Nearby Words

man in the street
manipulate
manipulated
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Cite this Entry

“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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