MANIPULATES Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

manipulates

verb

present tense third-person singular of manipulate

as in exploits

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

as in manages

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

as in negotiates

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

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 manipulates Okorie is the best driving guard in the class, a 6-1 jitterbug who manipulates defenders with a tight handle, sudden changes of speed, and an advanced feel for the game. —

Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 16 June 2026 Facial massage manipulates big muscles in the face, such as the masseters, temporalis and platysma, as well as fascia. —

Lauren Finney Harden, AJC.com, 10 June 2026 The Rams star quarterback manipulates opposing players with his eyes. —

Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 Williams acknowledges that there are fears about dubbing fixes being the thin end of a wedge that could lead to actors being replaced, even if Flawless’ AI only manipulates the face from the nose down. —

Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 May 2026 Her husband manipulates her, her best friend hates her, her sister derides her; her entire existence is thin and precarious. —

Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026 Researchers from Doshisha University in Japan have found that the bat does not merely survive this sensory overload, but also actively manipulates its environment to overcome the clutter and locate its prey. —

Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026 Flashbacks are deployed as more than mere framing devices, since the past plays an active, exciting role in the town’s present, and there’s an extended drug trip that skillfully manipulates lapsed time through recurring blackouts to keep you on the edge of your seat. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026 But there is a point where the prediction shapes and manipulates the actual outcome. —

Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulates

Verb

This configuration exploits the boundary layer of air flowing over the airframe to increase efficiency.

— David Szondy June 14, New Atlas, 14 June 2026
The hackers used a common tactic known as credential stuffing to access the data, which exploits weak and reused passwords.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026