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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of manipulate
On May 29, a sheriff's deputy responded to a report of fraud involving an elderly couple who said they had been manipulated into handing over approximately $28,000.
—
Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Once again, Davila was asked to manipulate the yellow cards — with J Col wanting five bookings between both teams in the rematch with Sydney FC.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Lawmakers in Washington have been particularly concerned about how people with insider information could manipulate the markets and defraud other bettors.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 2 June 2026
By Erik Larson, Bloomberg Famed short seller Andrew Left faces the possibility of decades behind bars after being found guilty of using disingenuous social media posts to manipulate stocks, in a landmark case that threatens to chill a broader trading strategy loathed by corporate executives.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Once again, Davila was asked to manipulate the yellow cards — with J Col wanting five bookings between both teams in the rematch with Sydney FC.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Lawmakers in Washington have been particularly concerned about how people with insider information could manipulate the markets and defraud other bettors.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 2 June 2026
By Erik Larson, Bloomberg Famed short seller Andrew Left faces the possibility of decades behind bars after being found guilty of using disingenuous social media posts to manipulate stocks, in a landmark case that threatens to chill a broader trading strategy loathed by corporate executives.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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Ramaphosa accused these groups of exploiting migration anxieties to sow division through lawlessness and violence.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
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This feels less like a billing problem and more like a system failure that the company is exploiting.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
8 June 2026
Verb
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County officials said the money would be used to repair roads, fix storm damage, maintain bridges and manage roadside vegetation.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
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Wonder also owns and manages the kitchens, and handles delivery after buying GrubHub in a deal valued at $650 million that closed in 2025.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Mamdani negotiated 1,000 affordable tickets from FIFA at $50 each, with free round-trip transportation, for New Yorkers who won a lottery.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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After submitting an internet bill for review, Rocket Money successfully negotiated a lower monthly rate, reducing the cost from $90 to $50 per month.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Verb
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He was also accused of deceiving escrow agents to secure the release of pre-construction condo deposits and then misappropriated those funds for personal expenses unrelated to the developments.—
Jay Weaver
June 6,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2026
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The Allies went to extraordinary lengths to deceive the enemy, suggesting that the attack would focus on the Pas-de-Calais, the narrowest point of the English Channel.—
Kevin Maurer,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Last season Hustus handled more than 16,000 lobsters all while chatting animatedly with visitors from around the world—and often introducing them to their first tastes of lobster.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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The county civil grand jury concluded the school board canceled the contract based on a misrepresentation of the facts, failed to act in students’ best interest, disparaged the school community and took actions that were supposed to be handled by district staff.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Songtams' guides can bring you to local temples and arrange cultural experiences to the Yunnan Nationalities Village showcasing ethnic minority cultures like the Yi, Bai, and Dai people.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
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Jason Momoa, who was born in Hawaii, was photographed helping Lola arrange traditional colorful Hawaiian garlands, the leis, a tribute to her roots.—
Monica Coviello,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Verb
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At a 2024 event hosted by the Miami Host Committee, committee President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo addressed the temporary name changes and signage requirements that the venue would face under FIFA rules.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
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Bass also accused Raman of repeatedly opposing efforts to address encampments near schools and increase police staffing.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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For much of history, before humans learned how to engineer immunity, almost every parent had to bury at least one of their children, and often more.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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At one participating college, leaders aligned IT and engineering pathways with local employers so students are not just taking isolated courses, but moving through coherent pathways tied to internships and pre-apprenticeship opportunities.—
Michael Collins,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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