Synonyms of manipulate

manipulate

verb

mə-ˈni-pyə-ˌlāt 

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

• exploit
• deceive
• play (upon)
• maneuver
• trick
• engineer
• delude
• devise
• fool
• hoodwink
• dupe
• finagle
• scheme
• arrange
• jockey
• defraud
• plot
• cheat
• bluff
• intrigue
• beguile
• snow
• gull
• swindle
• contrive
• take in
• cozen
• kid
• machinate
• mastermind
• finesse
• shanghai
• hoax
• con
• chisel
• fleece
• hustle

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

• manage
• handle
• address
• negotiate
• treat
• take
• play
• maneuver
• field
• cope (with)
• swing
• hack
• contend (with)
• grapple (with)
• control
• pull
• come to grips with
• regulate
• have a grip on
• carry out
• engineer
• steer
• get off
• carry off
• direct
• guide
• finesse
• respond (to)
• react (to)
• jockey
• micromanage
• command
• bring off
• run

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• botch
• fumble
• mishandle
• bungle
• goof (up)
• mess (up)
• scamp
• louse up
• muff
• foozle

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

• negotiate
• arrange
• engineer
• manage
• maneuver
• plot
• contrive
• finagle
• finesse
• frame
• machinate
• conclude
• wangle
• mastermind
• scheme
• conduct
• work out
• handle
• connive
• hammer out
• concoct
• concert
• direct
• intrigue
• angle (for)
• hatch
• compass
• cook (up)
• brew
• command
• run
• gerrymander
• quarterback
• captain

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blow
• butcher
• gum (up)
• mangle
• botch
• mishandle
• fumble
• bungle
• mess (up)
• louse up
• muff
• flub
• bobble

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of manipulate

In contrast, the subtle results of the new facelifts conceal serious invasion—hours of slicing and manipulating fascia, muscle, and fat. — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026

The fallout In early 2025, John began suspecting Yaffe of manipulating him for personal gain and asked Tricia for help, according to court records. — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026

Feng Chen Wang manipulated denim with twisted side seams and folded excess fabric. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 9 July 2026

The government’s data are far from infallible (and, as history has shown, can be manipulated). — Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026