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

"People have found ways to manipulate the system to be able to book thousands of driving tests themselves to then be able to resell on for a massively high inflated fee," she adds.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Those are trading strategies that seek to manipulate the price and exploit the large percentage of its individual investors.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

It took a long time for me, eventually, to get to a place where I could study and learn how to harness it, learn how to use it, to manipulate it.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

"You could also imagine finding some of the molecular players that are involved in filopodia and trying to manipulate some of those things to try to restore flexible memory as we age."

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

Sigurd could manipulate magic threads with his sword.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack

Related Words

• exploit
• handle
• influence
• maneuver
• shape