1
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
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2
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
3
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of manipulates
Just like Rodgers did a decade earlier, Prescott manipulates the flat defender (circled in red) and hits CeeDee Lamb in stride just behind the linebacker.
—
Mike Defabo, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Throughout the process, the robot simultaneously navigates, avoids obstacles, and manipulates objects without human guidance.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
Memory safety issues occur when software accesses or manipulates memory in an unintended way.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Luke and his fellow rebel demigods fall under Kronos’ influence as the Titan manipulates them into helping resurrect him.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Also, the fact that Stephen’s not physically intense, necessarily, but moreso manipulates mentally with mind games must bring its own challenges.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
An onboard synthesizer manipulates a small set of core sounds to mimic everything from the roar of a jet plane to the flushing of a toilet through a little speaker in the Brick.
—New Atlas, 6 Jan. 2026
Vecna psychically finds Hopper (David Harbour) and manipulates him to break the tank, cutting off the psychic link for her, Kali, and Max.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Jan. 2026
The result is a film that openly manipulates its viewers, toggling between Christmas magic and cathartic brutality — including a deliberately crowd-pleasing Nazi massacre — to secure audience allegiance.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2025
Mike Defabo, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Throughout the process, the robot simultaneously navigates, avoids obstacles, and manipulates objects without human guidance.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026
Memory safety issues occur when software accesses or manipulates memory in an unintended way.
—IEEE Spectrum, 28 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Luke and his fellow rebel demigods fall under Kronos’ influence as the Titan manipulates them into helping resurrect him.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Also, the fact that Stephen’s not physically intense, necessarily, but moreso manipulates mentally with mind games must bring its own challenges.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
An onboard synthesizer manipulates a small set of core sounds to mimic everything from the roar of a jet plane to the flushing of a toilet through a little speaker in the Brick.
—New Atlas, 6 Jan. 2026
Vecna psychically finds Hopper (David Harbour) and manipulates him to break the tank, cutting off the psychic link for her, Kali, and Max.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Jan. 2026
The result is a film that openly manipulates its viewers, toggling between Christmas magic and cathartic brutality — including a deliberately crowd-pleasing Nazi massacre — to secure audience allegiance.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulates
Verb
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Iran derives its power from an effective intelligence service that exploits the weakness of its neighbors, a ballistic missile program that holds every country in the region at risk and a network of militia proxies.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
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On February 27, Hadid continued her Milan Fashion Week exploits with the launch of her new capsule collection with Italian denim brand Miss Sixty.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Department of Administration, which manages state property and leases, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
6 Mar. 2026
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Even the slice of cold, waxy cheese, mashed into a spoonful of tartare, manages to impart a sense of cohesion and even lusciousness.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Once a shortlist is established, The PEO Link negotiates terms, presents structured comparisons, and supports implementation.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
4 Mar. 2026
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Brown asks the question what if a teacher or a nurse or a sanitation worker doesn't like the contract and benefits the union negotiates on their behalf?—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a statement issued Friday, the commission accused X of using its 'blue checkmark' in a way that deceives users.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
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The fragmentary Ni 12501 tablet from the Early Dynastic III period of Mesopotamia breaks off when Fox deceives the inhabitants of the netherworld in his quest to retrieve the storm god Ishkur.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fremantle handles global sales.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2026
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Over the year, the team handles challenging cases including premature birth, placenta previa, kidney cancer, tuberculosis, and slavery.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While in the country, Harry and Meghan are also planning to visit several on-the-ground initiatives funded by their Archewell Foundation, including one that arranges for children injured in the Gaza war to be medically evacuated for treatment in Jordan.—
Diego Parrado,
Vanity Fair,
25 Feb. 2026
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Once the quartet finally arrives in Tijuana, a wizard-like smuggler arranges their death-defying crossing.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This oscillation between panoramic distance and tactile proximity animates the forest as a sentient protagonist, one who occasionally addresses visitors in a woman’s voice.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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The measure addresses key issues such as electricity and water use needed to maintain the data centers and generally requires public notice of when plans are filed for a data center in the region.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 1893, Scottish-Canadian author, Robert Barr, wrote a short story about an unhappy married couple that was vacationing in the Swiss Alps when the husband plots to push his wife off of a cliff.—
Mary Beth Skylis,
Outside,
26 Feb. 2026
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Various accusations were leveled against the owners of both groups during the course of the hearing, with two operators of Cesar Rainey Street being implicated in drug trafficking and arson plots separately.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulates. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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