manipulated 1 of 2

adjective

as in engineered

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manipulated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of manipulate
1
as in exploited
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

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2
as in managed
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently spin doctors manipulating the data to make it seem more favorable to their preferred candidates

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3
as in negotiated
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of manipulated
Adjective
What emerged was a startling portrait of manipulated devotion that culminated in Jeffs' 2006 arrest by the FBI. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026 Mazzola, 43, also allegedly participated in an armed robbery to steal a manipulated shuffling machine. — Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
The sheriff's office also sought to rebut theories that had circulated publicly about the case, including claims that evidence was missing or the crime scene had been manipulated. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 Prosecutors argue that Clancy manipulated her providers and sought quick fixes for her depression and anxiety. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 Hilariously, the players figure out that they were manipulated on the unanimous Sam vote, and collectively decide that was the top-level metagame. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026 The department has been further beleaguered by concerns that leaders manipulated crime statistics to boost its image. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 10 Aug. 2026 This limits the damage if the agent behaves unexpectedly, is manipulated by malicious input or uses credentials improperly. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 This is a town where almost everybody’s breasts have been sliced, diced, manipulated, and put back together. — Huntley Woods, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit also alleges that Penske and Boehly manipulated and misused California’s nonprofit laws. — Andrew Dalton, Fortune, 29 July 2026 The spin of that electron can be manipulated just like the spin of one held in a quantum dot. — ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulated
  1. engineered
  2. exploited
  3. managed
  4. negotiated
  5. adulterated
  6. deceived
  7. handled
  8. arranged
Adjective
  • Without much public debate or planning, these semi-engineered levees took on a critical and unintended role.
    — Farshid Vahedifard, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
Definition of engineered
Verb
  • Think beyond immediate threats and consider how routine data trails can be exploited over time.
    — Erik Wittreich, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Critics, including public health experts and food scientists, have long said the industry has exploited the rule to introduce thousands of unstudied chemicals into the nation’s food supply, potentially endangering public health.
    — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of exploited
Verb
  • While daytime staffing at its Sharp Mesa Vista behavioral health hospital already meets requirements, overnight shifts have been managed based on the number of patients in beds and on the severity of their illnesses.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Old Trafford club are targeting a new left-back to alternate with Luke Shaw, because the 31-year-old’s fitness needs to be managed.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of managed
Verb
  • This will happen on six occasions from October through to December, but only if the tie against Tromso is safely negotiated to set up three home matches and three away in the league phase.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Greenwich plans to release the film in theaters early next year after the company’s Andy Bohn negotiated the deal with CAA Media Finance on behalf of the filmmakers.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of negotiated
Adjective
  • Navarro, who pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy in August, was sentenced Friday in Manhattan by federal Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil for being part of a conspiracy to distribute and administer adulterated and misbranded drugs for racehorses.
    — Stephen Edelson, The Courier-Journal, 18 Dec. 2021
Definition of adulterated
Verb
  • White House pool reporters deceived Advertisement McDonald pushed back on the idea that Air Force One and the people still aboard it, including journalists, were left exposed.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Harvey said at the time that his biggest concern was the people being deceived.
    — Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceived
Verb
  • The Triton then handled the navigation, sensor employment, onboard processing and reporting associated with the task.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • JPMorgan’s Kinexys network processes more than $7 billion a day and has handled over $4 trillion since launch.
    — Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of handled
Verb
  • The apartments at 64 Pratt are arranged around an atrium that soars three stories, from floor three to six.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Bike rentals and a range of experiences can be arranged, including wine tasting and artisan workshops.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of arranged

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Cite this Entry

“Manipulated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulated. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of manipulated for Spanish Speakers

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