1
as in exploiting
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 managing
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 negotiating
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
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Recent Examples of manipulating
Using Henry's good nature … by lying to him, by manipulating him.
—
Natalie Morales, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Uhlaender accused the Canadian team and its coach, Joe Cecchini, of intentionally withdrawing the athletes, deliberately manipulating the field to benefit one of their own sliders’ bids for qualification.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA) has accused Iran’s Islamic Republic government of manipulating the facts around the death of filmmaker Javad Ganji, who was killed while participating in popular protests sweeping the country since early January.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
The feature isn’t yet functional, but researchers were able to surface the toggle by manipulating the APK code.
—Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In a series of Instagram stories, Beckham accused his parents of controlling him for years, leaking stories to the press, and manipulating the narrative about him and his wife, Nicola Peltz.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
Where does that leave Yas, whose skills at forging connections and manipulating men have afforded him this opportunity?
—Judy Berman, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
Always double-check your sofa's warranty before spraying or manipulating the fabric.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026
Other charges accuse Yoon of manipulating the investigation into a marine’s drowning in 2023 and receiving free opinion surveys from an election broker in return for a political favor.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Natalie Morales, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Uhlaender accused the Canadian team and its coach, Joe Cecchini, of intentionally withdrawing the athletes, deliberately manipulating the field to benefit one of their own sliders’ bids for qualification.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026
The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA) has accused Iran’s Islamic Republic government of manipulating the facts around the death of filmmaker Javad Ganji, who was killed while participating in popular protests sweeping the country since early January.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
The feature isn’t yet functional, but researchers were able to surface the toggle by manipulating the APK code.
—Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
In a series of Instagram stories, Beckham accused his parents of controlling him for years, leaking stories to the press, and manipulating the narrative about him and his wife, Nicola Peltz.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 20 Jan. 2026
Where does that leave Yas, whose skills at forging connections and manipulating men have afforded him this opportunity?
—Judy Berman, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
Always double-check your sofa's warranty before spraying or manipulating the fabric.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026
Other charges accuse Yoon of manipulating the investigation into a marine’s drowning in 2023 and receiving free opinion surveys from an election broker in return for a political favor.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulating
Verb
-
Amidst the ongoing privacy issues surrounding door cameras and the backlash over social media giants exploiting user data to train their own models, today’s robots invite both passive and active observers into our homes and leave our data exposed to bad actors.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
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For years, the debate around this issue has been quietly deadlocked between the forces for common sense reform to dramatically lower the cost of construction, and personal injury lawyers who reap increasingly large windfalls by exploiting this law.—
Elizabeth Crowley,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Her mother accompanied her to appointments, managing logistics and providing emotional support.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Tina Olson, a managing attorney with the Juvenile Lifer Unit in the State Appellate Defender Office, says the decision doesn't minimize the crimes committed – or the victims impacted – but instead ensures defendants are given fair punishments.—
Elaine Rojas-Castillo,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Disregard global cooperation Warsh said that former Fed Chair Janet Yellen and Powell spent too much time negotiating with global regulators.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The most difficult part will be negotiating concessions that both sides can swallow in such a short period.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Although appearances can be deceiving.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Ah, but appearances can be deceiving.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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One case his office is handling involves a refugee who was pulled over in traffic and detained by ICE officers soon after leaving home.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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People handling or consuming the products could become seriously ill due to adulteration from pests, including rodents, birds and insects, the company said.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At 99, Mel Brooks does not speak like a man arranging his legacy.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
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Decorating Your Flight While these compound butter ideas are mouthwatering on their own, arranging the tray is all part of the fun of a butter flight.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Not long ago, California took a baby step toward addressing this rampant decay.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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These two behaviors suggest that dolphins are capable of addressing or labeling specific individuals.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the city is plotting a decisive — if a little uneven — course toward a carbon-free future.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Lowe's merchandising and marketing teams have started plotting out a 12-month plan of items that the company bets could become trending products, with about three to five items debuting each quarter, Wilson said.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulating. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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