Synonyms of manipulate

manipulate

verb

mə-ˈni-pyə-ˌlāt 

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

• exploit
• deceive
• play (upon)
• maneuver
• trick
• engineer
• delude
• devise
• fool
• hoodwink
• dupe
• finagle
• scheme
• defraud
• jockey
• arrange
• plot
• bluff
• cheat
• intrigue
• beguile
• snow
• swindle
• gull
• contrive
• take in
• cozen
• kid
• machinate
• mastermind
• finesse
• shanghai
• hoax
• con
• chisel
• fleece
• hustle

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

• manage
• handle
• address
• negotiate
• treat
• take
• play
• maneuver
• field
• cope (with)
• swing
• hack
• contend (with)
• grapple (with)
• control
• pull
• come to grips with
• regulate
• have a grip on
• carry out
• engineer
• steer
• get off
• carry off
• direct
• guide
• finesse
• respond (to)
• react (to)
• jockey
• micromanage
• command
• bring off
• run

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• botch
• fumble
• mishandle
• bungle
• goof (up)
• mess (up)
• scamp
• louse up
• muff
• foozle

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

• negotiate
• arrange
• engineer
• manage
• maneuver
• plot
• contrive
• finagle
• finesse
• frame
• machinate
• conclude
• wangle
• mastermind
• scheme
• conduct
• work out
• handle
• connive
• hammer out
• concoct
• concert
• direct
• intrigue
• angle (for)
• hatch
• compass
• cook (up)
• brew
• command
• run
• gerrymander
• quarterback
• captain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blow
• butcher
• gum (up)
• mangle
• botch
• mishandle
• fumble
• bungle
• mess (up)
• louse up
• muff
• flub
• bobble

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of manipulate

In virtually every practice, Rodgers gives the young quarterbacks a small piece of information — how to throw the ball on the run, how to carry out play-action, how to manipulate defenders with their eyes. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

New tools in neuroscience have allowed researchers to manipulate the activity of specific neurons in mice brains. — Danny G. Winder, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

The association said the money was lost after criminals impersonated its leadership and manipulated financial transactions. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Herrouet was arrested in November and charged with grand theft and running a scheme to defraud by employing relatives and manipulating payroll expenses, according to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026