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

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 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 Wall Street Journal

“The ability to manipulate these cells so that they can become powerful, specific therapeutics is really the promise of the field,” Bluestone said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Analysts say Kagame is following the handbook of other authoritarian rulers who have manipulated sports to scrub their reputations.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The government has slammed these as attempts to "manipulate public opinion" and "produce skewed results".

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• exploit 
• handle 
• influence 
• maneuver 
• shape