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
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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
Full-palm tactile sensing allows the robot to continue manipulating objects even when cameras are obstructed or when precise force control is required, such as in assembly tasks.
—
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Orban started manipulating these grievances, and did so to significantly divide Hungarian society.
—John Shattuck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
For years, firms like Kpler have flagged thousands of instances of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf manipulating onboard Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals — the system used to track vessels in transit — to evade sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
One of her alternate personalities — the cold and calculating Samantha — joins law enforcement to pursue her father’s killers, while other identities begin to surface with their own motives, seducing and manipulating powerful men as Sylvia’s search for justice veers into vengeance.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Adrian Maclean, 52, of Lisbon was arrested twice in connection with an embezzlement scheme police say involved manipulating records in the Hebron Tax Collector’s Office, according to Connecticut State Police.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
In November, two MLB players pleaded not guilty after being indicted for manipulating pitches to help bettors.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
The large gap between the hard palate and cheek teeth acts as a pocket for holding food items while browsing, and for manipulating cud.
—Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
For example gerrymandering, or the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party, is an ongoing, albeit controversial tactic among both Democrats and Republicans.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Mar. 2026
Orban started manipulating these grievances, and did so to significantly divide Hungarian society.
—John Shattuck, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
For years, firms like Kpler have flagged thousands of instances of oil tankers in the Persian Gulf manipulating onboard Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals — the system used to track vessels in transit — to evade sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
—Matthew Chin, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
One of her alternate personalities — the cold and calculating Samantha — joins law enforcement to pursue her father’s killers, while other identities begin to surface with their own motives, seducing and manipulating powerful men as Sylvia’s search for justice veers into vengeance.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
Adrian Maclean, 52, of Lisbon was arrested twice in connection with an embezzlement scheme police say involved manipulating records in the Hebron Tax Collector’s Office, according to Connecticut State Police.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
In November, two MLB players pleaded not guilty after being indicted for manipulating pitches to help bettors.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
The large gap between the hard palate and cheek teeth acts as a pocket for holding food items while browsing, and for manipulating cud.
—Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
For example gerrymandering, or the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one political party, is an ongoing, albeit controversial tactic among both Democrats and Republicans.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulating
Verb
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The film also showed attacks by conservative TV commentator Sean Hannity, who accused parents of exploiting girls, sparking a right-wing media frenzy and even threats to the organization.—
Kamren Curiel,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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The regime sought to eliminate my father by exploiting divisions that emerged within MOSOP in 1993.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cooking, handling special requests and managing busy environments still depend on people.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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Wait times listed on the MyTSA mobile app may not be accurate because TSA isn’t actively managing its sites during the shutdown.—
John Raby,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The unions have been negotiating with the district for more than a year over wages, staffing levels and working conditions.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Asian countries’ energy and commodities imports have been strangled, and several are negotiating with Tehran for safe passage — a situation that could quickly become permanent, an academic noted.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The specifications on the Neo can be deceiving.—
Dwight Silverman,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
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Keep cool, as temperatures may be deceiving National Weather Service meteorologist Katherine Berislavich said overnight lows typically drop into the upper 60s this time of year but can rise quickly by morning.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Gas prices crossed an average of $4 a gallon nationally this week and just 24% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling that issue, a new CNN/SSRS poll released March 31 found.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Long before Manhattan's iconic street grid took shape, an English widow laid the groundwork for a settlement in Brooklyn, arranging a small village in what would become the United States into one of the first grid patterns.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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But arranging spheres becomes significantly more complex in higher dimensions, which allow for more arrangements and symmetries.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That portion of the bill addressing proprietary business information will automatically be repealed on July 1, 2033.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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Heading into the 2026 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers have a few roster holes that need addressing.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In Minnesota, a man was sentenced to life in prison for plotting the murder of a real estate agent in part by luring her to a bogus showing.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, Cam is quietly plotting to reclaim his post, turning every misstep into ammunition.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulating. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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