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Showing results for manipulate. Search instead for manipula.
Definitions

manipulate

[muh-nip-yuh-leyt] / məˈnɪp yəˌleɪt /
VERB
maneuver, handle physically
Synonyms
STRONGEST
employ shape wield
STRONG
feel finger form manage mold operate ply swing thumb use work
Antonyms
STRONG
destroy idle
WEAK
leave alone
VERB
change to suit one's desire
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exploit handle influence maneuver shape
STRONG
beguile conduct control direct engineer finagle guide jockey machinate massage mold negotiate play steer upstage use
WEAK
finesse play games pull strings pull wires push around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
neglect
STRONG
abandon leave leave alone misguide mislead

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Structures no longer need to be thick to manipulate light effectively.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

Frictionless design has helped usher in technologies that manipulate behavior in ways that aren’t always visible to us.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Hutchcroft - who now believes Barrett took advantage of her mental health problems to manipulate her into parting with her money - had no idea what she was getting into.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

So do well-informed experts and, more troubling, insiders with the ability to manipulate the betting markets that are proliferating so rapidly.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

The thick rubber gloves made it difficult to manipulate the syringe, and the helmet made it hard to hear, which was why he didn’t notice Brooklyn coming up from behind.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.