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
Gerrymandering Texas and California aren’t the only states where lawmakers are trying to manipulate congressional maps in a way that will favor their party and disenfranchise voters.
—
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Was Prater manipulating evidence?
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Pro-slavery Southerners also manipulated the electoral system to make one-party rule permanent.
—Time, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Was Prater manipulating evidence?
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
Pro-slavery Southerners also manipulated the electoral system to make one-party rule permanent.
—Time, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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Unlike earlier tanks with thicker armor and larger guns, the Type 100 employs active defense interceptors, photoelectric sensors, and remote weapon stations to counter threats from modern anti-tank missiles and drones, which often exploit vulnerabilities on the top of armored vehicles.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
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So why wouldn’t AI systems, trained to maximize engagement, exploit those same buttons?—
Avital Pardo,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The watch proved successful after managing to catch a man littering hate flyers across the neighborhood.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
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He is known for his advocacy in advancing preventive healthcare models, with an emphasis on the role of lifestyle interventions in managing chronic diseases and enhancing overall well-being.—
Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Many of the examples are stark, like the Potawatomi Nation which had negotiated with the federal government in hopes of staying in their homelands in the upper Midwest.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Neighbors Settling down in the suburbs with their newborn, Kelly (Rose Byrne) and Mac (Seth Rogen) attempt to negotiate a quiet-hours pact with the frat house next door.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Looks can be deceiving, Cali said.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
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There is some relief on the way, but do not be deceived.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever handles the ball during the first half of the WNBA game at PHX Arena on August 07, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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This student’s outbursts had been an ongoing issue for three years, and Elliot quickly realized that few teachers had received the necessary restraint training to handle this student.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Latest section, on the other hand, arranges posts and reels in chronological order, with the most recent ones appearing first.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
4 Sep. 2025
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Around the country, arranging for housing is a relatively new and growing challenge for such PACE groups, which are funded through Medicaid and Medicare.—
Felice J. Freyer,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The country’s Human Rights Commission urged restraint on how the government should address the protests.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Seclusion and restraint The use of restraint and seclusion practices to address disabled students’ behavioral issues has increasingly become a debated issue among education specialists.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Likewise, their status as disruptors has been challenged by Isak doing everything possible to engineer a transfer to Liverpool.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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James DeMuth, founder and CEO of Seurat Technologies, is engineering a modern industrial revival with a mission rooted in resilience, national independence, and technological precision.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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