manipulate

[muh-nip-yuh-leyt]

verb (used with object)

manipulated, manipulating 

1. to manage or influence skillfully, especially in an unfair manner.

   to manipulate people's feelings.

2. to handle, manage, or use, especially with skill, in some process of treatment or performance.

   to manipulate a large tractor.

3. to adapt or change (accounts, figures, etc.) to suit one's purpose or advantage.

   Synonyms: falsify, juggle

4. Medicine/Medical.,  to examine or treat by skillful use of the hands, as in palpation, reduction of dislocations, or changing the position of a fetus.

manipulate

/ məˌnɪpjʊləˈbɪlɪtɪ, məˈnɪpjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to handle or use, esp with some skill, in a process or action

   to manipulate a pair of scissors

2. to negotiate, control, or influence (something or someone) cleverly, skilfully, or deviously

3. to falsify (a bill, accounts, etc) for one's own advantage

4. (in physiotherapy) to examine or treat manually, as in loosening a joint

Other Word Forms

• manipulatable adjective
• manipulatory adjective
• nonmanipulative adjective
• nonmanipulatory adjective
• outmanipulate verb (used with object)
• unmanipulatable adjective
• unmanipulated adjective
• unmanipulative adjective
• unmanipulatory adjective
• manipulatively adverb
• manipulability noun
• manipulator noun
• manipulation noun
• manipulative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of manipulate¹

First recorded in 1820–30; back formation from manipulation

Word History and Origins

Origin of manipulate¹

C19: back formation from manipulation, from Latin manipulus handful

Example Sentences

“It’s a very vulnerable position to be in when somebody is manipulating your hair, especially as a Black woman, when our hair is so scrutinized in the outside world,” says Tseggai.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, the screeners are carefully crafted to test the pre-reading skills that form the building blocks for literacy, including a child’s ability to manipulate sounds, name objects, and remember a list of words.

From Los Angeles Times

“Getting a robot to manipulate objects with its arms and hands,” Brooks writes, “has been hard for every researcher and industrial engineer ... to this day.”

From Los Angeles Times

US scientists have, for the first time, made early-stage human embryos by manipulating DNA taken from people's skin cells and then fertilising it with sperm.

From BBC

"Anfield was always freezing. I don't know whether they manipulate the temperature in there."

From BBC

Related Words

• exploit 
• handle 
• influence 
• maneuver 
• shape