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

"He wants to manipulate the Islamic republic into getting a deal. I think that was his intention, if you can say there is an intention."

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Frictionless design has helped usher in technologies that manipulate behavior in ways that aren’t always visible to us.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

She held a tiny controller with which she operated a synthesizer, worn around her neck and concealed by the ruffles of her Congolese Kuba cloth top, to manipulate the sound of her voice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Because cows lack hands, Veronika must manipulate tools using her mouth.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

“But won’t the clans think we’re just trying to manipulate them?”

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Related Words

• exploit
• handle
• influence
• maneuver
• shape