1
as in to exploit
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 to manage
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 to negotiate
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 manipulate
Speed motions help receivers get free releases off the line of scrimmage against more aggressive cornerbacks and then manipulate angles and space in the second and third levels of the defense.
—
Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Voting is not a privilege for states to restrict or manipulate.
—Tom Lopach, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Attackers often use voice-phishing calls or realistic fake apps to manipulate Salesforce administrators into installing malicious software.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Having cultivated a collection of gut phages and bacterial hosts, scientists now have tangible targets to study and manipulate.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Voting is not a privilege for states to restrict or manipulate.
—Tom Lopach, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
Attackers often use voice-phishing calls or realistic fake apps to manipulate Salesforce administrators into installing malicious software.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Having cultivated a collection of gut phages and bacterial hosts, scientists now have tangible targets to study and manipulate.
—New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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As European nations—including France—maintained colonial rule, exploiting millions of people of color across the globe, Nardal wielded her writings as a weapon to challenge the global color line.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
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There are reservations, though, about the intertwining of Christianity and conservative politics, and opportunistic politicians exploiting a movement to suit their agenda.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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So are the county administrators who manage their benefits.—
JR Radcliffe,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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The dispute began when Nicklaus sold GBI Investors—which had licensed his intellectual property and managed his golf course design business—to Milstein in 2007.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tatiana’s settlement with Carlos Pino and his family — negotiated through mediation led by Miami attorney Bruce Greer — followed another important step for her.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Loan spells for Alan Montes and Santiago Muñoz have concluded and Sporting KC will continue to negotiate with Schewe and Muñoz.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Despite being deceived, Stone, who dated Garfield for four years, conceded that the actor's dedication to the secret was honorable.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
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That’s 14 years of dreaming, dissolving, romanticizing, escaping, and sometimes deceiving ourselves.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The utility also has detention basins at its Peak Flow Attenuation Facility, located off Scott Hamilton Drive, that are meant to allow the system to handle significant rain events.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Oct. 2025
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Thankfully, our providers handled our pregnancy with so much care and grace knowing our history.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There, McIlroy was seen posing for photos with several of his trophies arranged on the basalt rocks, paying tribute to a season that many consider his most meaningful of all time.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Victoria Goodwin was sentenced to prison in May for arranging the plot with a Florida inmate.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ticketmaster is trying to address the lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission with several moves intended to block scalpers from abusing the platform.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
21 Oct. 2025
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The first round recommendations were drawn up by the Statewide K-12 Graduation Council, assembled by the governor to address the issue in the wake of last year’s election.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Scientists at Rice University have engineered living cells to light up like tiny beacons, revealing protein changes in real time.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
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With powerful video models now available to anyone with a browser, the internet will soon flood with high-volume, high-intensity clips engineered for shock, irony, or dopamine.—
Victor Riparbelli,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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