1
as in exploiting
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
Relevance
2
as in managing
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 negotiating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of manipulating
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
His belief that a conspiratorial coterie of people is manipulating American policy.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
His prescription was more funding to monitor oil futures trading and higher penalties for those found to be manipulating oil markets.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Senior figures within the DA have accused one another of abusing power and manipulating state institutions, drawing South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog into what is, in effect, an internal leadership battle.
—Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
As expected, the arm opposite the brain injury often has major problems with weakness, stiffness and voluntary control, limiting its use for reaching, grasping and manipulating objects.
—Candice Maenza, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Over the past year, security researchers have been warning that hackers are increasingly targeting the technology behind global shipping, quietly manipulating systems that move goods worth millions of dollars.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Today, Helix 02 extends that control to the entire robot—walking, manipulating, and balancing as one continuous system.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2026
The messages—widely condemned as vulgar, misogynistic, racist, and homophobic—also revealed discussions about manipulating media coverage, targeting political opponents, and casual references to the misuse of public funds.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Curt Devine, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
His belief that a conspiratorial coterie of people is manipulating American policy.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
His prescription was more funding to monitor oil futures trading and higher penalties for those found to be manipulating oil markets.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
Senior figures within the DA have accused one another of abusing power and manipulating state institutions, drawing South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog into what is, in effect, an internal leadership battle.
—Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 4 Feb. 2026
As expected, the arm opposite the brain injury often has major problems with weakness, stiffness and voluntary control, limiting its use for reaching, grasping and manipulating objects.
—Candice Maenza, The Conversation, 2 Feb. 2026
Over the past year, security researchers have been warning that hackers are increasingly targeting the technology behind global shipping, quietly manipulating systems that move goods worth millions of dollars.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Today, Helix 02 extends that control to the entire robot—walking, manipulating, and balancing as one continuous system.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2026
The messages—widely condemned as vulgar, misogynistic, racist, and homophobic—also revealed discussions about manipulating media coverage, targeting political opponents, and casual references to the misuse of public funds.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulating
Verb
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Quantum systems promise new ways to solve specific classes of problems by exploiting superposition and entanglement.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
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The agency is working with its partners to stop hackers from exploiting any of the vulnerabilities identified in the report, said Nick Andersen, CISA’s executive assistant director for cybersecurity.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The 30-year-old star, born Austin Richard Post, was born in New York but moved to Grapevine at 9 years old after Malone’s father, Rich Post, took a job managing concessions for the Dallas Cowboys.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Feb. 2026
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He's considered a great in-game coach, who creates advantages in the margins, like on substitution patterns and managing the clock.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Senator says that's 'bottom line' Still, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said Republicans have been negotiating in good faith.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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The rest of the negotiating team soon arrived, still fresh from their trip to Abu Dhabi.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Your eyes aren't deceiving you.—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
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The final score is a bit deceiving, as Pittsburgh led by 18 before the Cowboys rallied near the end.—
Greg Rajan,
Houston Chronicle,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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With the passage of the INA, Congress tasked immigration courts with handling removal proceedings, thereby stripping district courts of jurisdiction over immigration matters.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
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The brain is also far more adept at handling things like ambiguity, subtlety, and nuance.—
Matthew S Williams,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Emails show Epstein’s associates arranging meetings between him and Black from 2010 to 2017.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Recent articles in the news report Canada, Mexico, Central and South America arranging trading with countries who don't treat them as stepchildren.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Fransein’s experiences as chief judge led her to identify training and education as important factors in addressing shortfalls in legal representation.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
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Savannah Guthrie has released a fourth video addressing the apparent abduction of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In 7th place on iSpot’s ranking was Amazon’s Alexa+ spot starring Chris Hemsworth, who runs through several horrifying thought experiments about how the advanced AI might be plotting to murder him in his own home.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
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Fashion Deals If your suitcase is already plotting its next trip, these February clothing and shoe deals are worth a look.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulating. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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