Definitions

pull strings

Jump To:

engineer v.
favor v.
finesse v.
fix v.
influence v.
lobby v.
machinate v.
manage v.
maneuver v.
manipulate v.
one-up v.
order v.

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.

See Examples For:

pull strings

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

Holly Aitchison, a playmaking fly-half, will get the chance to pull strings for the first time in the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury to take her place on the bench.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2025

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

Now, she’s counting on colleagues in the United States to pull strings on their behalf.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 20, 2021

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

pull strings

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words