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
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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
The main character was more of a Murdoch, kind of Trump figure manipulating people.
—
Joe Lynch, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Last month, the NCAA revealed enforcement actions against 16 former D-I men’s basketball players who are accused of betting on or against their own teams, knowingly manipulating scoring or game outcomes, providing information to facilitate others’ bets and related misdeeds.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Immediately, nearby residents mobilized to block the development, worrying that manipulating the floodplain would have disastrous consequences for downstream neighborhoods.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
But what happens when the one manipulating markets isn't human?
—Kate Concannon, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Intoxicating hemp is made by manipulating compounds found in hemp plants to create toxic compounds like delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Julie asked Jimmy Heagerty about where things stood with Mickey Lee, and Jimmy said Morgan did a great job manipulating Mickey into sending him home.
—David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2025
With its flexible solvers, Newton allows developers to simulate complex, real-world tasks ranging from walking on snow and gravel to manipulating fragile objects like cups and fruit.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Lack of free and fair elections, with leaders manipulating the system to remain in power.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Joe Lynch, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Last month, the NCAA revealed enforcement actions against 16 former D-I men’s basketball players who are accused of betting on or against their own teams, knowingly manipulating scoring or game outcomes, providing information to facilitate others’ bets and related misdeeds.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Immediately, nearby residents mobilized to block the development, worrying that manipulating the floodplain would have disastrous consequences for downstream neighborhoods.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
But what happens when the one manipulating markets isn't human?
—Kate Concannon, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Intoxicating hemp is made by manipulating compounds found in hemp plants to create toxic compounds like delta-8-THC and delta-9-THC.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025
Julie asked Jimmy Heagerty about where things stood with Mickey Lee, and Jimmy said Morgan did a great job manipulating Mickey into sending him home.
—David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2025
With its flexible solvers, Newton allows developers to simulate complex, real-world tasks ranging from walking on snow and gravel to manipulating fragile objects like cups and fruit.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Lack of free and fair elections, with leaders manipulating the system to remain in power.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulating
Verb
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By exploiting quantum states that resist thermalization, their new approach converts waste heat into electricity more effectively than conventional methods, surpassing traditional thermodynamic limits.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
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Programs like the Black Beauty AI Challenge show there is a path forward where AI works with culture instead of exploiting it.—
Donnetta Monk,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Taking over for Brady after his retirement following the 2022 season, was Mayfield, who is off to the best start of his NFL career through six games even while managing without several key offensive weapons.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
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Most of those who shaped or even marginally influenced the events of October 7th are gone, leaving Gaza’s authority withered to the point that even managing the hostages has become paralyzingly difficult.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ukraine is currently negotiating with its international partners to increase natural gas imports by about 30% as the winter approaches, according to energy minister Svitlana Grynchuk.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
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The partnership was built to oversee all of La Liga’s commercial and development activity in the region, as well as negotiating media rights on their behalf.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the decades that followed, Freeman, who died in 2025, assembled a vast array of literary fakes, collecting books whose content is deceiving in nature.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
13 Oct. 2025
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Two culinary pros gave us the real scoop about how certain vanilla bean ice creams have been deceiving us all these years.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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Don Lisi, Rogers Police Department spokesman, said police investigate cases involving virtual currency scams on a regular basis, and the department is currently handling a couple of such cases.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Except for those limitations, the Army is arranging to return those eligible for demobilization as quickly as possible.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
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Three years at the symphony Starting on his first day, July 27, 2020, Jones’ responsibilities included assigning parts to musicians, managing instruments, arranging production with stage crews and leading the percussion section’s performance.—
Matti Gellman,
Kansas City Star,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Meehan said the effort to ban books started at the local level, with parents addressing school boards with their concerns over the books in school libraries, which then led to statewide efforts and legislation.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
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By partnering with Anduril, Raytheon is expanding the defense technology ecosystem and addressing critical limitations in the rocket motor supply base.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Others, like Ghiath Dalla, a brigadier general whose forces were involved in violent repression of protests, is among several former officers plotting sabotage from Lebanon, according to ex-military commanders, who also shared text message exchanges with The Times.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The president revoked Bolton’s Secret Service detail earlier this year, even as Iranian operatives remained under an indictment for plotting to assassinate him.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manipulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulating. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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