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

Columns implying that trans people, especially youth, are being manipulated or misled by progressive politics.

Read more on Salon

“The evidence showed that Amazon used sophisticated subscription traps designed to manipulate consumers into enrolling in Prime, and then made it exceedingly hard for consumers to end their subscription,” FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Instead of stepping away from social media, some people choose to try to manipulate their algorithms to prevent a bombardment of ads and avoid the temptation that comes with them, experts say.

Read more on MarketWatch

AI will probably at some point in the future be able to manipulate the markets on any given day to a predetermined outcome in favor of companies not people.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It also opens the door for the platforms to manipulate the auctions, Hovaness said, for example by entering their own bids and driving up prices in the process.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exploit 
• handle 
• influence 
• maneuver 
• shape