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
Relevance
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
But there is a point where the prediction shapes and manipulates the actual outcome.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Searching for inspiration for her next novel, Elise subtly manipulates the people closest to her like characters in a book.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Reinhart’s Apple is a deliciously deadly mystery wrapped in sequins and pure unadulterated attitude, as Tung’s Pumpkin subtly manipulates the group to get to the bottom of a past incident that weighs on her personally, despite her new friends being oblivious to her true identity.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
The film is being released as newsrooms shrink, the mainstream media consolidates and social media manipulates the meaning of truth.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
In his score, Wagner manipulates space and scale, suggesting intimate chambers and vast expanses of the North Atlantic with innumerable shadings of orchestration.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
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
Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Searching for inspiration for her next novel, Elise subtly manipulates the people closest to her like characters in a book.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Reinhart’s Apple is a deliciously deadly mystery wrapped in sequins and pure unadulterated attitude, as Tung’s Pumpkin subtly manipulates the group to get to the bottom of a past incident that weighs on her personally, despite her new friends being oblivious to her true identity.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026
The film is being released as newsrooms shrink, the mainstream media consolidates and social media manipulates the meaning of truth.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
In his score, Wagner manipulates space and scale, suggesting intimate chambers and vast expanses of the North Atlantic with innumerable shadings of orchestration.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulates
Verb
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Lockwood exploits that conundrum, and even takes part in it.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
-
If anything looks off, a professional inspection is a smart investment — far cheaper than an emergency roof repair after a storm exploits an existing weak spot.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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So we’re probably doomed to endless toxic feedback loops unless someone hits upon a brilliant fundamental redesign that manages to change those dynamics.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
-
As more repeat purchases become automated, the need for store trips declines, shopping moves from browsing to outcome setting, and consumers express a goal once, and the system increasingly manages the rest.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
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That unit includes the pharmacy benefits manager Caremark, which negotiates drug discounts with manufacturers on behalf of insurance plans, creates lists of medications, or formularies, that are covered by insurance, and reimburses pharmacies for prescriptions.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
-
The actors union’s new agreement with the trade group that negotiates with Hollywood unions on behalf of the major studios will reportedly improve AI protections and boost the guild’s pension fund.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 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
-
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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This lightweight nylon bag features handles long enough to sit comfortably on your shoulder, a handy exterior pocket, and a top zipper closure to keep all of your belongings secure.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
3 May 2026
-
On accountability, the returns and refunds infrastructure already handles error correction, and escalation is largely automated, leaving retailers well-positioned for agentic accountability without a net-new architecture.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The retreat also provides a complete, personalized meal plan and arranges transportation to and from the airport or train station, making the experience closer to an all-inclusive medical resort than a traditional spa visit.—
Lauren Schuster,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
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But elsewhere Margaret—who produced the record with longtime collaborator Doug Saltzman—arranges the same core sounds into more interesting, textured configurations, wielding millennial touchstones without the baggage.—
Linnie Greene,
Pitchfork,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Primarily, though, Bhabha’s work addresses the now.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Without governance that addresses accountability, transparency, bias, and data privacy, enterprise deployment will stall on its most significant risks.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
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Robert Pattinson also enters the franchise as the villain Scytale, who plots to end Paul's rule over the universe.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulates. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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