manipulate
manipulate Lexical Profile
manipulate Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To control or influence a person, situation, or system cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously for one's own advantage.
"The politician was accused of trying to manipulate public opinion through misleading advertisements."
To handle, operate, or control a tool, mechanism, or object in a skillful manner.
"The robotic arm was designed to manipulate delicate surgical instruments with extreme precision."
To alter, edit, or process data, text, or digital images, either for valid analysis or to falsify results.
"The software allows researchers to manipulate large datasets and visualize complex trends."
To examine, move, or treat a part of the body using the hands (especially in physical therapy, osteopathy, or medicine).
"The physical therapist gently manipulated the patient's shoulder joint to restore its range of motion."
Word Nuance & Usage
When applied to physical objects, equipment, or raw data, 'manipulate' is neutral and means to handle or operate skillfully; when applied to people, public opinion, or financial markets, it carries a strongly negative connotation of unfair exploitation or deceit.
• Rhymes for manipulate
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Back-formation from the early 19th-century noun 'manipulation', borrowed from French and ultimately from Latin 'manipulus' ('handful'), from 'manus' ('hand') and the root of 'plere' ('to fill').