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
So Company Retreat is less a show about the choices Anthony makes than the ones he’s been very carefully manipulated into making by a crackerjack cast and crew.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Countries, including Iran, have long tried to manipulate information to persuade or influence what people think outside the region.
—Andrea Hickerson, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
Research shows that abusers will threaten, harm or kill a beloved companion animal to manipulate and control the people who love them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim’s underwear and grazed her genitals.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Countries, including Iran, have long tried to manipulate information to persuade or influence what people think outside the region.
—Andrea Hickerson, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
Research shows that abusers will threaten, harm or kill a beloved companion animal to manipulate and control the people who love them.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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Players have to create teams that exploit a boss’ weakness in order to defeat them, and that means building up characters that have the right elemental affinities.—
Gieson Cacho,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
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This is certain to be an area TCU will try to exploit.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Yet Iran has still managed to halt the flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about a fifth of the world’s oil.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
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But for those who qualify, the long-term tax-free growth and withdrawal flexibility typically outweigh the absence of an immediate deduction — especially for someone already managing a complex retirement income picture.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The residents and owners are negotiating a settlement agreement where residents receive compensation for moving off the property by a certain date, the attorneys said.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
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The only problem is, negotiating and understanding the subsequent paradoxes — which writer/director Shane Carruth made little effort to simplify — requires a PhD in high-level physics.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Nope, that's not your eyes deceiving you.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
15 Mar. 2026
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Months after the girl had died, a DCF worker investigating a complaint related to Torres-García’s younger sister was deceived by the children’s mother during a video chat with a person the child’s mother asked to impersonate the child, according to the agency.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer leeks to a cutting board and let sit until cool enough to handle.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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The moody Moon paces into your busy 3rd house, energizing your ability to handle quick stops and urgent tasks.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Staff are happy to offer local recommendations for food, drink, hikes, and more, or to help arrange gear for a beach day or hike.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
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Rooms and suites are arranged to maximize views of the lush greenery outside.—
Kelsey Eisen,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The White House offer does not address several of the Democrats' top priorities, including requiring judicial warrants to enter private properties and barring agents from wearing masks, which obscures identities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
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Congress regulating the surrogacy industry, Lucci argued, is one way to address these threats.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The most immediate relief available is a pivot away from HBM dependency toward commodity DRAM architectures engineered specifically for AI’s requirements.—
Sha Rabii,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
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Setup is seamless thanks to AI Sonic Auto Room Calibration, which engineers the audio to your specific space.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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