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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of manipulate
Since 2024, a number of lawsuits have been filed by parents against companies offering AI chatbots, alleging that extensive use of the technology led to a range of harms to kids, including manipulating and isolating them and leading to death by suicide.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
That could lead to soft robots that wriggle through tight spaces with lifelike agility, surgical tools that bend and flex inside the body, or gentle grippers that can manipulate fragile objects without breaking them.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2025
But Putin, ever the ex-KGB pro, is all about finding the ways to manipulate the world’s most malleable and vulnerable.
—Martin Schram, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
Young’s ability to manipulate the pocket with his quickness and improvisational skills has helped keep the Panthers’ sack count low.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
That could lead to soft robots that wriggle through tight spaces with lifelike agility, surgical tools that bend and flex inside the body, or gentle grippers that can manipulate fragile objects without breaking them.
—Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Oct. 2025
But Putin, ever the ex-KGB pro, is all about finding the ways to manipulate the world’s most malleable and vulnerable.
—Martin Schram, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
Young’s ability to manipulate the pocket with his quickness and improvisational skills has helped keep the Panthers’ sack count low.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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Fentanyl poisoners who harm and exploit others will be held accountable.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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The outlet said it has long been alleged that Andrew exploited the role to gain personal access to wealthy individuals.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a 30-minute interview, Martin defended how the party has been managing its internal divisions, and pushed back at Republicans who have accused Democrats of embracing violence and radical politics.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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Ancelotti had great success in managing Vinicius Jr, who is now having problems with Alonso.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hunter has set himself a very fine amount of emotional and physical space within which to work, and there’s pleasure in watching Metcalf and Stock negotiate the tiptoeing way Sarah and Ethan grow closer.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
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The houses, often apartments inside the city’s tall residential buildings, strike so much fear among residents that anyone willing to live there can negotiate hefty discounts in one of the world’s most expensive property markets.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Gordon warned me that this was deceiving.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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Santos was sentenced to prison in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Equipped to handle every kind of wintry mix the forecast may bring, this is a durable option that will remain intact all season long.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
5 Nov. 2025
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In an April 2, 2021, amicus brief, Raffensperger, represented by the state attorney general, argued ballots must remain sealed under Georgia’s Elections Code and warned that allowing the public to handle physical ballots could constitute a felony under state law.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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There were also individual, isolated nests, which were typically larger than any that were arranged in a specific shape, according to the study.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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To make matters worse, none of the wedding flowers had been purchased or arranged.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of the most touching moments of the rally occurred when Miguel Rojas, an unexpected hero of the series, addressed the crowd.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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In recent times, efforts to address this challenge have seen professionals working in extreme environments pursue a more proactive approach to security, guided by advancements in AI, deep learning, and IoT technologies.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The silky fibers are smartly engineered to absorb moisture and promote airflow, helping even the warmest sleepers stay comfortable all night long.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Oct. 2025
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The Russian 9x19mm 7N31 cartridge is specially engineered to defeat modern body armor while maintaining effectiveness against unarmored targets.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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