manipulate
muh-NIP-yoo-layt
/məˈnɪp.jə.leɪt/
To control, influence, or manage a person, situation, or data cleverly, unfairly, or deceitfully to one's own advantage.
Implies skillful, behind-the-scenes control, often without the target realizing they are being directed.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'manipulus' ('a handful'), the verb originally described operating physical tools or handles skillfully with hands. By the 19th century, it shifted metaphorically to describe handling or directing people and financial records with calculated deceit.
Word relationships
- maneuver: Maneuver implies tactical positioning, while manipulate focuses on deceitful control over people or data.
- exploit: Exploit means taking unfair advantage of a weakness, whereas manipulate emphasizes skillful control.
- lead transparently: Directing others openly without hidden agendas.
- leave alone: Refraining from altering or controlling a situation.
Commonly confused with
- manage: Managing is organizing transparently, while manipulating implies sneaky or self-serving control.
Word family
- manipulation (noun): The action of controlling or influencing someone or something deceitfully.
- manipulative (adjective): Exercising sneaky or devious control over others.
Collocations
- manipulate public opinion
- manipulate data
- manipulate markets
- cleverly manipulate
Idioms & expressions
- pull strings
- twist around one's finger
Example sentences
- "Sensational news outlets frequently manipulate public emotion by highlighting extreme cases and suppressing context." Media critique
- "The fraudster used insider rumors to manipulate stock prices and profit at the expense of small investors." Financial fraud analysis
Memory hook
MANU (hand) manipulates objects or people like puppet strings in hand. Control or influence craftily.
When not to use
In physical science, surgery, or engineering, 'manipulate' means handling tools skillfully without negative moral implications; do not assume malice in technical contexts.
Fun facts
- In physical therapy and osteopathy, 'spinal manipulation' retains the original, purely neutral Latin meaning of using hands to adjust joints.
Related words
Explore more words
Manipulation, maneuver, manipulator, dexterity, outmaneuver, engineered
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