manipulate

/məˌnɪpjəˈleɪt/

/məˈnɪpjuleɪt/

Other forms: manipulated; manipulating; manipulates

To manipulate something means to handle it skillfully, like the way a sculptor manipulates clay or a really good politician works a crowd.

The verb manipulate evolved from manipulation, which back in the 1700s referred to a method of digging ore. So manipulating something originally only meant moving or arranging it by hand or mechanically. It wasn't until 1864 that people started using the word manipulate to describe someone exerting mental or emotional influence on others.

Definitions of manipulate

1. verb

   influence or control shrewdly or deviously
   “He manipulated public opinion in his favor”

   synonyms: pull strings, pull wires

   type of:

   act upon, influence, work

   have and exert influence or effect
2. verb

   control (others or oneself) or influence skillfully, usually to one's advantage
   “She manipulates her boss”

   synonyms: control, keep in line

   types:

   tease

   arouse hope, desire, or curiosity without satisfying them

   handle

   show and train

   ingratiate

   gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts

   cotton up, cozy up, play up, shine up, sidle up, suck up

   ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior

   type of:

   interact

   act together or towards others or with others
3. verb

   hold something in one's hands and move it
   types:

   lay hands on

   manage with the hands

   mouse

   manipulate the mouse of a computer

   fiddle with, twiddle

   manipulate, as in a nervous or unconscious manner

   handle, manage, wield

   manage or wield effectively

   control, operate

   handle and cause to function

   knead, massage, rub down

   manually manipulate (someone's body), usually for medicinal or relaxation purposes

   knead, work

   make uniform

   mix, ruffle, shuffle

   mix so as to make a random order or arrangement

   fiddle, monkey, tamper

   play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly

   diddle, fiddle, play, toy

   manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination

   synchronise, synchronize

   operate simultaneously

   dial

   operate a dial to select a telephone number

   ply

   wield vigorously

   turn

   alter the functioning or setting of

   submarine

   control a submarine

   treadle

   operate (machinery) by a treadle

   relay

   control or operate by relay

   pump

   operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal

   proof

   knead to reach proper lightness

   masticate

   grind and knead

   reshuffle

   shuffle again

   riffle

   shuffle (playing cards) by separating the deck into two parts and riffling with the thumbs so the cards intermix

   cut

   divide a deck of cards at random into two parts to make selection difficult

   sweep, swing, swing out

   make a big sweeping gesture or movement

   gate

   control with a valve or other device that functions like a gate

   put out, retire

   cause to be out on a fielding play

   pedal

   operate the pedals on a keyboard instrument

   drive

   operate or control a vehicle

   aviate, fly, pilot

   operate an airplane

   type of:

   handle, palm

   touch, lift, or hold with the hands
4. verb

   treat manually, as with massage, for therapeutic purposes
   type of:

   care for, treat

   provide treatment for
5. verb

   skillfully utilize, process, or operate on
   type of:

   apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize

   put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
6. verb

   tamper, with the purpose of deception
   synonyms: cook, fake, falsify, fudge, misrepresent, wangle

   types:

   juggle

   manipulate by or as if by moving around components

   type of:

   cheat, chisel

   engage in deceitful behavior; practice trickery or fraud
7. verb

   manipulate in a fraudulent manner
   synonyms: rig

   type of:

   price

   determine the price of