manipulate

American  

[muh-nip-yuh-leyt] / məˈnɪp yəˌleɪt /

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.

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manipulate British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of manipulate

First recorded in 1820–30; back formation from manipulation

Explanation

To manipulate something means to handle it skillfully, like the way a sculptor manipulates clay or a really good politician works a crowd. The verb manipulate evolved from manipulation, which back in the 1700s referred to a method of digging ore. So manipulating something originally only meant moving or arranging it by hand or mechanically. It wasn't until 1864 that people started using the word manipulate to describe someone exerting mental or emotional influence on others.

Example Sentences

Manipulate the price of gold, silver, copper and oil?

From New York Times • May 28, 2015

Manipulate your environment so you don’t have to exert self-control.

From Time • Oct. 4, 2014

Monument Valley: Manipulate impossible architecture and guide a silent princess through ethereal worlds.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2014

Looking eastwards, the Manipulate Visual Theatre festival begins at Norwich Puppet theatre on Wednesday.

From The Guardian • Feb. 1, 2013

“I suppose ‘The Beautiful Woman Who Can Manipulate the World with Her Mind’ is too unwieldy.”

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• exploit
• handle
• influence
• maneuver
• shape