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
For example gerrymandering, or the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party, is an ongoing, albeit controversial tactic among both Democrats and Republicans.
—
Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
The skills could include tasks such as folding boxes, assembling components, or even manipulating objects, activities that still remain challenging for many robotic systems.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026
There’s a rich commonality between him and Venus that could be explored here—who’s manipulating Rika more?
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
There’s a rich commonality between him and Venus that could be explored here—who’s manipulating Rika more?
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
Epstein offered to host Mandelson in a New York apartment in 2009, about five months before the two discussed by email manipulating then-British premier Gordon Brown to step down.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Even though the rumors about Jane Street manipulating Bitcoin appear to lack substance, recent controversies surrounding the firm may have helped to fuel them.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Employees at the company, then known as Facebook, proposed a public audit of design features that might contribute to compulsive use of the platform in the fall of 2018, citing growing public concern that tech companies were intentionally manipulating users, according to the documents.
—Cnn, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Employees at the company, then known as Facebook, proposed a public audit of design features that might contribute to compulsive use of the platform in the fall of 2018, citing growing public concern that tech companies were intentionally manipulating users, according to the documents.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
The skills could include tasks such as folding boxes, assembling components, or even manipulating objects, activities that still remain challenging for many robotic systems.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Mar. 2026
There’s a rich commonality between him and Venus that could be explored here—who’s manipulating Rika more?
—Literary Hub, 5 Mar. 2026
There’s a rich commonality between him and Venus that could be explored here—who’s manipulating Rika more?
—Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
Epstein offered to host Mandelson in a New York apartment in 2009, about five months before the two discussed by email manipulating then-British premier Gordon Brown to step down.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Even though the rumors about Jane Street manipulating Bitcoin appear to lack substance, recent controversies surrounding the firm may have helped to fuel them.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Employees at the company, then known as Facebook, proposed a public audit of design features that might contribute to compulsive use of the platform in the fall of 2018, citing growing public concern that tech companies were intentionally manipulating users, according to the documents.
—Cnn, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Employees at the company, then known as Facebook, proposed a public audit of design features that might contribute to compulsive use of the platform in the fall of 2018, citing growing public concern that tech companies were intentionally manipulating users, according to the documents.
—Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulating
Verb
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In this way, prediction markets are the perfect technology for a low-trust society, simultaneously exploiting and reifying an environment in which believing the motives behind any person or action becomes harder.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
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Cohen was accused of exploiting his advisory and fiduciary relationships with these players.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Glen, former deputy mayor for housing and economic development under Mayor de Blasio, is founder and managing principal at MSquared, a real estate investment and development company.—
Alicia Glen,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
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In a move that signaled the coming power grab, County CEO Michelle Aguirre intervened, keeping Schultz on the payroll to continue managing the very investments Freidenrich was elected to oversee.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The companies could also sell excess power generation to utilities for public consumption, in addition to negotiating separate rate structures with public utilities and states, ensuring expenses are not passed on to consumers.—
Josh Boak,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
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And, creditors and debt collectors are often open to negotiating a settlement even after a lawsuit has been filed.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Defamation, which refers to a false statement of fact that is reputationally damaging, and false light, which is a technically true statement but is presented in a highly deceiving fashion, are other possible legal actions.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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Looks, too, can be deceiving for those not on the grounds.—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The man handling our caller strummed it again.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
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Health policy experts say the federal government's actions to withhold and defer funding break with normal fraud-handling precedent.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Authorities conducted a sting operation in September, arranging to meet her in a hotel room that Mays rented.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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All that interior volume should inspire some serious creativity in terms of arranging different floor plans.—
C.C. Weiss
March 05,
New Atlas,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Thursday and Friday will be spent addressing bills that have been approved by both chambers but with differences in the language, Perez said.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
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Providing energy at the lowest possible cost and supporting financial assistance programs are most frequently cited as top priorities, while addressing climate goals ranks last.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Iran may soon run out of drones, yet has other asymmetrical options – such as choking the Strait of Hormuz or plotting terror on foreign soil – that can irritate the US and disrupt peace.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Declan Rice and Gabriel are deep in conversation, plotting what could have been their team’s 22nd set-piece goal of the season — a familiar scene and something that antagonises the Brighton supporters.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulating. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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