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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of manipulate
Cheating by Norway team officials manipulating ski suits has shaken a national reputation for fair play and high-minded principles at their home Nordic world championships, where the host team dominated the medal table.
—
Graham Dunbar, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
Pressure tactics: Scammers often use threatening language or impose tight deadlines to manipulate you into acting quickly without thinking.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025
But, unlike an opaque liquid liner, the brand opts for a diffusible tint that’s far more forgiving and easier to manipulate for a natural-looking effect.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Mar. 2025
But they had been manipulated by homeowners and businesses, and used to block all kinds of new construction.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Graham Dunbar, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025
Pressure tactics: Scammers often use threatening language or impose tight deadlines to manipulate you into acting quickly without thinking.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025
But, unlike an opaque liquid liner, the brand opts for a diffusible tint that’s far more forgiving and easier to manipulate for a natural-looking effect.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Mar. 2025
But they had been manipulated by homeowners and businesses, and used to block all kinds of new construction.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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If that weren’t enough, bad-faith actors exploit these dynamics, distorting reality for part of the population and deepening political divides.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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It is exploited to create scary scenes by using human-like NPCs that look and/or move weirdly.—
Victor Erukhimov,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The dispatchers managed to keep the caller and her brother calm while directing firefighters to a streetcorner that had easy access to the wooded area for one fire company to walk in through.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
19 Mar. 2025
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Young manages it all with a maturity beyond her years.—
Audra Heinrichs,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The two players have been negotiating deals with Cincinnati to keep them with the organization for years to come.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
15 Mar. 2025
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Leaders from both countries negotiated the ceasefire proposal announced on Tuesday.—
Axios,
Axios,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Holding a lot of cash in the bank may feel like the absolute most comfortable option, but don’t be deceived.—
Eric Roberge,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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Any clinic that is promising instant, full growth in a few weeks is deceiving you.—
Rowan Briggs,
The Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In 2021, Saint-Cyr's sister joined the business to handle finances.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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The company billed itself as a one-stop production shop that could carry content ideas all the way to development, with the infrastructure in place to handle marketing and distribution on its own.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The institute once arranged for a Purim care package to be airdropped to a Jewish Coast Guard member 700 miles off the coast of Alaska, for example.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2025
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Every morning, the monks gathered there, arranging themselves on the long stone benches, to discuss the matters of the day.—
Amanda Petrusich,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Students have led activism efforts to address societal issues like apartheid, war, climate change and racial inequality.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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What needs to change to address the radicalization of young men?—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The first celebrated Le Brillant, one of its key styles introduced that year and partially inspired by the graphic lines of Pavillon Philips engineered by Le Corbusier.—
Lily Templeton,
WWD,
12 Mar. 2025
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Despite the cost-cutting, the company has struggled to engineer a turnaround.—
Michael Kan,
PCMAG,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.
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