1
as in to exploit
to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means
the con man would slyly manipulate the emotions of his marks in order to win their sympathy and trust
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to manage
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
spin doctors manipulating the data to make it seem more favorable to their preferred candidates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
manipulated the schedule of presidential primaries so that the choice of the party elders would win the nomination
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of manipulate
When Codi receives an invitation to test the simulator’s latest build, the message turns out to be a trap set by Pinkolaf, a vengeful AI creature born inside DinoGames that has learned to manipulate real-world electronics.
—
Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
In other cases, extremists have been convicted of manipulating children into cutting themselves or even killing pets on camera, records show.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Some older creep takes you aside and teaches you how to manipulate your girlfriends like a narcissistic abuse apprenticeship program?
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Cat-eye polish can be manipulated into any number of intricate designs, including these mesmerizing swirls.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
In other cases, extremists have been convicted of manipulating children into cutting themselves or even killing pets on camera, records show.
—Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Some older creep takes you aside and teaches you how to manipulate your girlfriends like a narcissistic abuse apprenticeship program?
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2026
Cat-eye polish can be manipulated into any number of intricate designs, including these mesmerizing swirls.
—Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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But the threat of extremist nihilistic groups goes beyond individual harm to exploited children, the federal memos obtained by CNN show.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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But experts say that the state program has lacked thorough oversight and accountability, allowing a small group of manufacturers to exploit the program’s robust endowments.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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So now, a team that has defeated conference leaders such as Oklahoma City, Denver, Detroit and New York, also has managed to fall to the lottery likes of Utah, Indiana and Sacramento, with the 15-40 Pelicans up next.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
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Interestingly, and likely due to the fact that all six episodes were released at once, Steal even managed to make Luminate’s Top 50 list just based on its first two days of viewing.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The district decided to purchase fewer buses this year and opted not to give teachers a raise, negotiating a one-time bonus instead.—
Carley Lanich,
IndyStar,
10 Feb. 2026
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The English language distribution rights are still being negotiated.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Is someone attempting to deceive you?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
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Your eyes aren't deceiving you.—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In contrast to task-specific systems like Isaac 0, companies such as Figure AI have developed general-purpose humanoids, such as the Figure 02, designed to handle a wide range of industrial and household tasks rather than specializing in a single task.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
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Its network handles a range of freight services, including bulk commodity exports.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors claim Sainz Salazar served as a key fentanyl producer for the Chapitos from about 2022 through 2025, helping manufacture millions of pills, arranging drug transactions under armed protection and operating labs that later became central to the group’s fentanyl production.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Mustique also has a small hotel, Cotton House, where 17 guest rooms and suites are arranged between a two-story building and a series of garden cottages.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The White House did not address whether Tuesday’s vote would lead to Trump relying more heavily on executive action — something the president himself seemed to suggest during his interview with Kudlow.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Feb. 2026
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With increasing production complexity and a growing shortage of skilled labor, the Group views Physical AI systems as a robust solution to address gaps in both areas.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Stafford also engineered late game-winning drives in playoff victories over the Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears before the Rams suffered a 31-27 defeat by the Seahawks in the NFC championship.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering what’s changing in how fashion is made, scaled or engineered from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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