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
That’s because, biologically, we’re wired to seek safety and support from these attachment figures—parents, friends, romantic partners—which makes things complicated when that same individual is the one subtly manipulating or dismissing us.
—
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
There are ball rolls, drag-backs and sharp-angled passes, all designed to manipulate opposition defenders and thread the ball through the spaces his movement creates.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
In the days before digital equipment allowed a single technician to manipulate each note on dozens of tracks with the push of a button, the analog recording consoles of the 1970s were controlled by faders, one for each track, that had to be manipulated by hand as the music played.
—Peter Ames Carlin, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can't be manipulated for political purposes.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Jenna Ryu, SELF, 14 Aug. 2025
There are ball rolls, drag-backs and sharp-angled passes, all designed to manipulate opposition defenders and thread the ball through the spaces his movement creates.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
In the days before digital equipment allowed a single technician to manipulate each note on dozens of tracks with the push of a button, the analog recording consoles of the 1970s were controlled by faders, one for each track, that had to be manipulated by hand as the music played.
—Peter Ames Carlin, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2025
Important numbers like this must be fair and accurate, they can't be manipulated for political purposes.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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Phishing, malware and misinformation relentlessly exploit weak points in online systems.—
Akram Atallah,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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During the leak, former and current customers' information was exploited, including names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth and more personal details.—
Shelby Slade,
AZCentral.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The fire crew has managed to contain none of the blaze by Friday evening.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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More from Your Money: Here's a look at more stories on how to manage, grow and protect your money for the years ahead.—
Stephanie Dhue,
CNBC,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Until a decade ago, every La Liga club negotiated its own TV agreement, leading to enormous revenue disparities.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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Another few weeks of Russian infantry assaults could achieve that goal, allowing Putin to negotiate with the U.S. and Ukraine from a position of greater advantage.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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But appearances can be deceiving because there's a lot of bright side here.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
14 Aug. 2025
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Some Russian media commentators also note how Alaska was once Russian territory, sold by Tsar Alexander II to the United States for a pittance in 1867 Many observers, particularly Russian, are dismissing the meeting as a sign Trump has allowed Putin to once again deceive him.—
Patrick Reevell,
ABC News,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Brian Cotter when sworn in years ago: New Pueblo County coroner brings change What agency is handling the Pueblo coroner case?—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
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My wife was impressed by how Tennesseans handled the temperatures seemingly without issue.—
Tobis Heimbach,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Ruth is arranged in a series of almost-irreverent vignettes, which date from Ruth’s early childhood in the 1960s through her middle age.—
Hillary Kelly,
The Atlantic,
20 Aug. 2025
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By that time, the government had arranged for two more planes to transport detainees to the same Salvadoran prison.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The essay popularized the concept of the male gaze, classical Hollywood cinema’s propensity to address, embody, and shape film spectators as heterosexual and male.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 Aug. 2025
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This project not only helped individuals build financial stability but also strengthened our local economy by addressing skill gaps.—
Josh Bergeron,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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These satellites are engineered to manufacture superalloys, semiconductors and optical fibers that benefit from space’s unique properties: microgravity, vacuum and extreme thermal gradients.—
Shelli Brunswick,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Each speaker is handcrafted by Sonus Faber using natural materials, with every component engineered for the finest acoustic performance.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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