1
as in exploiting
to control or take advantage of by artful, unfair, or insidious means
the con man would slyly manipulate the emotions of his marks in order to win their sympathy and trust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in managing
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
spin doctors manipulating the data to make it seem more favorable to their preferred candidates
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in negotiating
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
manipulated the schedule of presidential primaries so that the choice of the party elders would win the nomination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of manipulating
This can involve pretending to be an IT customer support and manipulating an employee at a target company into handing over internal access.
—
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
But even then, our team of artists got in there and just started manipulating things.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
The duo greatly expanded their sample library, ripping random melodies from thrift-store records and manipulating their own field recordings.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump is manipulating the markets.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Clayton Seigle, a senior fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ABC News that spoofing or manipulating the tracking system can obscure a vessel's origins, destination and cargo.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Of course, Butcher does a lot of blatant manipulating here, using Ryan’s insecurity about his deadly powers to convince him the world is better without supes altogether.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Under this system, any attempt to trigger a vulnerability by manipulating memory runs into the Rust wall—it can’t be affected by malicious DNS packets.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
By carefully manipulating the laser configuration, the team brought pairs of atoms close enough for their quantum wavefunctions to overlap in space.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
But even then, our team of artists got in there and just started manipulating things.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2026
The duo greatly expanded their sample library, ripping random melodies from thrift-store records and manipulating their own field recordings.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump is manipulating the markets.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Clayton Seigle, a senior fellow in the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told ABC News that spoofing or manipulating the tracking system can obscure a vessel's origins, destination and cargo.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Of course, Butcher does a lot of blatant manipulating here, using Ryan’s insecurity about his deadly powers to convince him the world is better without supes altogether.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
Under this system, any attempt to trigger a vulnerability by manipulating memory runs into the Rust wall—it can’t be affected by malicious DNS packets.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
By carefully manipulating the laser configuration, the team brought pairs of atoms close enough for their quantum wavefunctions to overlap in space.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manipulating
Verb
-
By the time Cale Makar picked up the puck on the offensive line, exploiting Taylor Ward in a mismatched one-on-one before sniping short side past Anton Forsberg, the impending sweep was clear.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Bad actors are exploiting weaknesses government has known about for years.—
Darlene Mealy,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stafford is 38 and managing degenerative back issues.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Micky Arison is listed as managing general partner.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the push to develop local mineral value chains has taken the tone of negotiating higher equity stakes in mining projects for the government, accompanied by threats of seizures and hostile takeovers.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
That may be easier said than done while negotiating airports and trekking across new terrain.—
Donna Vickroy,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Swalwell apparently did an excellent job deceiving those around him, including some congressional and campaign staffers who’d known him for years and worked closely with the seven-term lawmaker, day in, day out.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Mets have a responsibility to protect their players by not throwing them under the bus, but there are ways to do that without trying to convince people that their eyes are deceiving them.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rai Cinema International Distribution, which is handling world sales, will unveil first footage in Cannes, with the production slated for completion in the fourth quarter of the year.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Endorphins and serotonin spike, and over time the brain gets better at handling stressful conditions.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ballmer steadfastly denies arranging the deal between Aspiration and Leonard, who by all accounts performed no duties for Aspiration.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Just three weeks ago, Vancouver Police reported five incidents involving a man allegedly robbing people after arranging to meet with him, to sell the suspect Pokémon cards.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The event also raised funds for the Center for Food Equity in Medicine, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity among individuals with cancer and other life-altering illnesses.—
Francine Knowles,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
By addressing messes quickly and effectively, these types of products can help prevent stains, odors, and wear that often lead to deeper cleaning, repairs, or replacements.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After expressing sorrow for having put innocent people in danger by transporting weaponry and plotting to commit an act of violence in a public place, Allen’s letter lays out his list of targets.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But the show’s plotting and Niall’s exquisite complexity more than make up for Ruben’s relative flatness.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manipulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manipulating. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
