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Definitions

pull strings

VERB
engineer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrange come up with conceive concoct create direct manage manipulate negotiate organize set up supervise
STRONG
angle cause con contrive control cook doctor effect encompass finagle jockey machinate maneuver operate originate plan plant plot rig scam scheme superintend swing upstage wangle work
WEAK
play games pull wires put one on put one over put over put through
Antonyms
STRONGEST
destroy disarrange disorder disorganize mismanage
STRONG
forget ignore leave alone neglect
VERB
favor
Synonyms
STRONGEST
facilitate promote side with
STRONG
abet accommodate advance aid assist befriend esteem further gratify humor indulge oblige spare spoil value
WEAK
be partial to do a kindness do right by make exception play favorites show consideration smile upon treat well
Antonyms
STRONG
block disappoint frustrate halt hinder hurt ignore impede neglect obstruct prevent stop
WEAK
disfavor dislike thwart
VERB
finesse
Synonyms
STRONG
angle bluff exploit jockey play rig wangle
WEAK
beguile finagle operate play games pull wires
Antonyms
WEAK
bobble mishandle
VERB
fix
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buy reach
STRONG
bribe corrupt fiddle lubricate maneuver square suborn
WEAK
buy off tamper with
Antonyms
WEAK
play fair
VERB
influence
Synonyms
STRONGEST
affect alter arouse bias change determine guide impress manipulate persuade prejudice prompt regulate shape sway
STRONG
brainwash bribe channel compel control count direct dispose form impel incite incline induce instigate modify mold move predispose prevail rouse rule seduce sell snow soft sell train turn urge
WEAK
act upon argue into be recognized bring to bear carry weight get at have a part in impact on talk into work upon
Antonyms
STRONGEST
be fair be just continue keep leave alone neglect prevent remain stay stop
STRONG
delay deter discourage disenchant dissuade halt hinder mismanage
VERB
lobby
Synonyms
STRONGEST
campaign for persuade politick press promote push request solicit sway urge
STRONG
advance affect alter bill billboard boost change drum further hype induce influence modify pitch plug pressure procure sell soft-soap splash spot sweet-talk thump
WEAK
bring pressure to bear build up exert influence hard sell high-pressure make a pitch for put pressure on sell on soft-sell solicit votes
Antonyms
STRONGEST
discourage dissuade leave alone pull repress suppress
STRONG
continue decrease halt hinder keep prevent remain stop
VERB
machinate
Synonyms
STRONG
cogitate collude connive conspire contrive design devise engineer finagle hatch intrigue invent plan promote scheme wangle
WEAK
come up with play games trump up
Antonyms
STRONG
disorganize forget ignore neglect
WEAK
leave alone
VERB
manage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
achieve carry out deal with work
STRONG
arrange con contrive cook doctor effect engineer execute finagle fix jockey plant rig scam succeed swing upstage wangle
WEAK
bring about bring off cope with play games push around put one over
Antonyms
STRONG
destroy disarrange disorder disorganize disturb fail forget ignore neglect unsettle
WEAK
bumble mismanage
VERB
maneuver
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exploit jockey manipulate navigate operate
STRONG
angle beguile cheat con conspire contrive cook design devise doctor engineer fence finagle finesse intrigue machinate manage move play plot proceed rig scam sham shift trick upstage wangle work
WEAK
come up with go around leave holding the bag play games push around put one over
Antonyms
STRONG
destroy disorganize forget neglect remain stop
WEAK
leave alone
VERB
manipulate
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 wires push around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
neglect
STRONG
abandon leave leave alone misguide mislead
VERB
one-up
Synonyms
WEAK
angle beguile bluff exploit finagle finesse jockey maneuver manipulate operate play play games pull wires rig wangle
VERB
order
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buy call for charge direct hire instruct obtain request require tell warn
STRONG
adjure bid book decree dictate enact engage enjoin ordain prescribe reserve secure
WEAK
apply for call the shots call the signals contract for rule the roost send away for
Antonyms
STRONG
cancel give up refuse
WEAK
disallow prevent rescind

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.

The 56-year-old had no official post during his father's rule, but was speculated to be acting behind the scenes to pull strings at the heart of power in Iran.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

And then, with crematoria and funeral homes filling up, they had to pull strings to find him a final resting place.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2023

“And that means it works. Because that’s what a coach’s job is. It’s not to pull strings and call every play and direct traffic. It’s to say, ‘This is your team.’

From Washington Post • May 25, 2022

But he’s making progress, and his commanding officer tells him that if he delivers Lulu to Arizona, he’ll pull strings to have Briggs returned to his unit, good to go.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 17, 2022

To quiet my guinea pigs, I pull strings of timothy hay from the little bale I keep under the cage.

From "Rules" by Cynthia Lord

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