manipulation

/mənɪpjəˈleɪʃɪn/

/mənɪpjəˈleɪʃən/

Other forms: manipulations

Manipulation is the skillful handling, controlling or using of something or someone. Whether it's the sculpture you made in art class or how you convinced your friend to do your homework — both are considered manipulation.

From the Latin word for "handful," manipulation certainly has much to do with using your hands to move or shape something, like a good DJ manipulating two totally different tunes into the perfect mashup. But this word also has some negative connotations — a manipulative person knows how to twist words, play on emotions and otherwise manage a situation in a sneaky fashion to get what he wants.

Definitions of manipulation

1. noun

   exerting shrewd or devious influence especially for one's own advantage
   “his manipulation of his friends was scandalous”

   synonyms: use

   types:

   mind game

   deliberate actions of calculated psychological manipulation intended to intimidate or confuse (usually for competitive advantage)

   type of:

   influence

   causing something without any direct or apparent effort
2. noun

   the action of touching with the hands (or the skillful use of the hands) or by the use of mechanical means
   synonyms: handling

   types:

   fielding

   (baseball) handling the ball while playing in the field

   type of:

   touch, touching

   the act of putting two things together with no space between them