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
The new blind spots create a space where employees can manipulate markets and trade on material nonpublic information (MNPI) without being easily detected.
—
Kelvin Dickenson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Rhaenyra cannot behead the Usurper, but this man — her father’s hand, who manipulated them all in the name of naked ambition — makes a fitting surrogate.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
The attorney general's office also alleges that Foster-Smith manipulated the crime scene in an attempt to conceal the killing before fleeing the location.
—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
They are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, bribery in sporting contests and money laundering conspiracy for allegedly bribing Beasley to manipulate his performance.
—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Kelvin Dickenson,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Rhaenyra cannot behead the Usurper, but this man — her father’s hand, who manipulated them all in the name of naked ambition — makes a fitting surrogate.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
The attorney general's office also alleges that Foster-Smith manipulated the crime scene in an attempt to conceal the killing before fleeing the location.
—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
They are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, bribery in sporting contests and money laundering conspiracy for allegedly bribing Beasley to manipulate his performance.
—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for manipulate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulate
Verb
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Jim has repeatedly said that as AI becomes better at uncovering software flaws, businesses will need increasingly sophisticated tools to identify, patch, and defend against those vulnerabilities before hackers can exploit them.
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Firmware updates often fix security holes that attackers love to exploit.
Verb
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The situation is pressing, but Coleman still manages to make a connection.
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The platform has consistently managed volume over $1 billion daily since the soccer tournament began on June 11.
Verb
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The market is oversaturated, and Riley is a genius for not only recognizing that but realizing that all of these new DJs are going to need lawyers to negotiate their contracts.
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The decision, which was widely anticipated, does not end the pact immediately, but rather kicks off a decade-long annual review process for the three countries to negotiate on the treaty until the USMCA officially expires in 2036.
Verb
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Appearance, though, can be deceiving, but luckily, this shed is still packed with smart features and a clever design that will keep all your belongings safe.
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Here, however, the joke is that appearances can be deceiving — or to be more specific, that trying to act like a character in a movie is a reckless, unwise thing to do.
Verb
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About 55% of injuries happen to people actively handling fireworks, and nearly a quarter of the injuries are to bystanders.
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Key indicators include how teams handle uncertainty, genuinely challenge each other, learn from failures, and base decisions on current realities.
Verb
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The floorplan is arranged with a clear separation between the living areas and private sleeping quarters of the home.
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Bunting arranged this way is appropriate for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of a platform or general decoration.
Verb
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Nationals officials also addressed the matter with the right-hander.
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The attorney also addressed the letter to several email addresses listed on the Brownsville Energy Storage Terminals website.
Verb
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Top-end homes are increasingly being engineered with structural systems more commonly associated with commercial buildings, including extensive steel framing that enables larger expanses of glass and fewer interior columns.
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While the community is defined by open space, the house itself is engineered to work with the climate, not fight it.
Cite this Entry
“Manipulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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